Politics
New Democracy seeks higher ground in escalating TV permits row
A new chapter in the ongoing saga relating to Greece’s TV licences is due to be written this week, with the government hoping to recover from the blow dealt by the Council of State and New Democracy hoping to inflict further damage on the coalition.
TV licencing becomes key political battleground after court verdict
After suffering the blow of seeing its centrepiece legislation on TV licences being shot down by the Council of State, Alexis Tsipras and his government are seeking a way to rebound and deflect accusations of incompetence or attempting to control the media and the judiciary.
Court delivers serious blow over TV permits, gov't vows to fight on
The ruling that the government feared materialised late on Wednesday night, when the Council of State deemed that the recent tender leading to four bidders gaining TV licences and existing channels being prevented from continuing to broadcast was unconstitutional.
Reshuffle expectations doused as coalition braces for TV permits ruling
Greece’s governing coalition is on tenterhooks over the imminent verdict on the TV licences tender from the Council of State, which is holding its second session of the week on Wednesday.
Tsipras encounters SYRIZA resistance, waits for court verdict on TV licences
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been given a reminder by his party that he will not have it all his way, despite his recent resounding re-election as SYRIZA leader.
Cyprus talks enter crucial stage as Greece makes position clear on guarantees
The Cyprus reunification talks are due to enter a crucial stage next month as the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot leaders, Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci, have agreed to begin negotiations on the sensitive “territory” chapter.
Tsipras ponders risking reshuffle to finish review on time, get debt talks going
There is growing speculation that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is on the verge of announcing a cabinet reshuffle with the aim of removing some ministers who are not deemed as being cooperative and increasing the government’s chances of concluding the programme review that began last week as soon as possible.
Athens looks to Draghi for positive signals on debt relief
It was mentioned almost as an afterthought. Mario Draghi, the European Central Bank President, reframed the ongoing debate on Greek debt relief, noting the ECB would draw its own conclusions on sustainability, wait for relief to be implemented, and then decide whether to include Greece in its quantitative easing programme.
Tsipras in Brussels prep for Obama trip
Ending an awkward week at home, Alexis Tsipras heads to meetings in Brussels that could ultimately define his term as prime minister.
On the sidelines of a European Council, his talks on Thursday and Friday are with the EU’s Jean-Claude Juncker, French President Francois Hollande and Germany’s Angela Merkel.
New episode in Greek TV drama
The suspense continues. A high court will hear a case against the government over its TV licensing overhaul that has triggered an ugly public spat over corruption, the judiciary, and influence over the news media.