Politics
Parties ponder next steps as dust settles following local elections
The three main political parties in Greece are charting their next moves as they continue to digest the shock results of the second round of local elections. While the New Democracy government is downplaying the celebrations of its rivals, the strategic alliance between SYRIZA and PASOK looks likely to prove ephemeral.
PM lines up Israel visit, discusses conflict with Erdogan
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is planning to visit Jerusalem and hold talks with Benjamin Netanyahu not only to express solidarity to Israel but also to act as a European mediator, according to media sources.
Second round of local elections deliver worrying results for PM, glimmer of hope for opposition
The results of the second round of local elections, held on Sunday, put a substantially different complexion on the political picture that had been formed following the first round, as New Democracy’s dominance at a regional and municipal level failed to materialise.
Internal resistance keeps Kasselakis on his toes, while ND focusses on local vote
Facing considerable unrest within his party, SYRIZA’s recently elected leader Stefanos Kasselakis is attempting to fight back by increasing his grassroots support and avoiding any direct confrontation with his critics.
Reconstruction funds at centre of local elections, as ND makes final push for second round
As campaigning for the second round of municipal and regional elections enters the final stretch, regional reconstruction funds are emerging as New Democracy’s key weapon in the push to get the party’s candidates over the line.
Kasselakis puts on friendly face for big business, compounding SYRIZA unease
In a move that is unlikely to sit well with everyone in his party, recently elected SYRIZA president Stefanos Kasselakis has attempted to court Greece’s industrialists by declaring that the leftists will adjust their position under his leadership so that they no longer “demonise” capital.
Few bright spots for opposition candidates in local polls, ND confident for second round
New Democracy is claiming that total dominance over municipal and regional government is within reach, as the results of the first round of elections served up few unpleasant surprises for the governing party. At the same time, the polls created a new dynamic between SYRIZA and PASOK, as the main opposition parties contemplate strategic plays.
Athens stands by Israel, hopes for de-escalation
Athens instantly condemned Saturday’s attack on Israel by Gaza-based Hamas - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted on Saturday that he strongly condemns “the atrocious terrorist attack against Israel, causing a high number of casualties among civilians."
Strong showing for ND in first round of local elections amid low turnout
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis interpreted the results of Sunday’s local elections as a “reconfirmation” of the public’s support in his New Democracy party, after candidates backed by the conservatives won seven of Greece’s 13 regional governorships, while ND-supported hopefuls also look well-placed to win the mayorships of Athens and Thessaloniki in run-off ballots next Sunday.
PM struggling to fulfil same-sex marriage pledge, prompting opposition pressure
The issue of same-sex marriage is turning into somewhat of a thorn in Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s side as there appears to be little support from within his party for a change to the law – a fact that SYRIZA is looking to exploit as its new leader Stefanos Kasselakis looks to burnish his liberal credentials, especially when compared to the conservative leader.