Politics
To Potami and PASOK battle it out for dominance of centre-left
PASOK strengthened its position as the third-largest party in Greek Parliament this week after another To Potami MP joined the socialists amid broader movement on the centre-left of Greece’s political landscape.
Athens and lenders stay mum on agreement, domestic reaction awaited
The Greek government and the European Commission declined to confirm reports on Wednesday that Athens and its lenders have reached an understanding that will lead to a staff-level agreement in the coming days.
Concerns over energy deregulation add to challenges Tsipras faces
There is a growing feeling in Athens that the government is gradually moving closer to the institutions and the two sides are genuinely trying to reach a technical agreement by April 7, when eurozone finance minister are due to meet in Malta.
After raising labour concerns, back to grind of talks for Tsipras
After raising Greece’s concerns about labour reform at the highest level over the last few days, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras knows that his government must return to negotiations with its lenders this week if it is going to have any chance of securing a technical agreement in time for the April 7 Eurogroup.
Progress seen after Brussels talks but review conclusion still out of reach
There was no tangible outcome from the three days of talks between Greek ministers and representatives of the institutions in Brussels but there are indications that some progress was made, allowing talks to continue in the coming days.
As Athens awaits news from Brussels, New Democracy mends fences
The lack of information emerging from the negotiations between Greek ministers and the institutions in Brussels means that the political focus is on domestic developments, pending further news from the Belgian capital.
New Democracy in spotlight as coalition draws hope on labour reforms
In the absence of any tangible developments from the ongoing talks in Brussels, fringe issues have dominated the political agenda in Greece since Monday.
New attempt to get Cyprus talks back on track
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades is to meet with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutteres in New York on Wednesday in an apparent move to seek ways for the stalled talks to begin again soon.
The scenarios ahead for Greece as review hangs in balance
As talks between Greek government officials and the country’s lenders continue in Brussels following Monday’s Eurogroup, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras can see a clear path to Greece’s exit from the bailout programme and the crisis but, given the obstacles in the way, there is also a good chance that things will not be that straightforward.
SYRIZA on tenterhooks as outcome of review remains in balance
The Greek government goes into Monday’s Eurogroup hoping that there will not be a falling out with the lenders (worst case) but that enough common ground will be found so that the institutions can return to Athens to conclude the second review (best case).