Politics
Series of failures provide opposition with platform to put pressure on PM
Although it is still largely absorbed by its leadership contest, which is not due to conclude until early September, recent events have prompted SYRIZA to take a more aggressive stance regarding Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s premiership.
Opposition intensifies calls for political scalp over failure to avert deadly hooligan clash
Political pressure is intensifying on the government in Athens to take responsibility for the police’s failure to act on warnings of a planned attack by Croatian hooligans, which resulted in the death of a Greek man in a brawl outside an Athens football stadium.
Minister hangs on as failures leading to fatal hooligan raid further tarnish govt's image
The government finds itself under pressure, even from sections of the media that are normally friendly to New Democracy, after an apparent breakdown in public order procedures led to dozens of Croatian football hooligans entering the country and fighting with locals outside the stadium of AEK Athens on Monday night.
Demands for public space put New Democracy under pressure as local elections approach
The government in Athens has promised to introduce a new framework for the issuing of commercial leases for beaches, after a growing grass roots movement demanding the enforcement of limits on beachfront development.
Labour bill controversy dents plans for announcements of new measures in Sep
The government is hoping for some respite after several busy and tense weeks since it was re-elected, which would afford it the space to prepare the measures that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will announce at the Thessaloniki International Fair in early September.
Government pledges land register action in bid to address everyday problems
After being forced to pledge action to tackle the growing sun lounger problem at Greek resorts, the government has also been prompted to adopt measures to address bureaucratic obstacles at the country’s land registry.
Beleri case dents Greek-Albanian relations, puts progress on hold
The issue of the ethnic Greek Mayor-elect of Himare, Fredi Beleri, who has been held in custody in Albania since May has caused a major setback in Greek-Albanian relations.
Government cracks down on sun lounger sprawl as public mood towards tourism sours
With the holiday season in full swing, a growing swell of public protest against the over-expansion of businesses on beaches has forced the government to promise stricter enforcement of the rules on the use of public space.
PM heads to Egypt with eye on broader movements in East Med
Athens is keeping a close watch on Ankara’s intention to improve relations with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly Egypt and Israel.
Government offers free holidays, bigger fines and more hirings in evolving fire response
The government is maintaining its dual line of defence against criticism about the handling of forest fires over the past few weeks by blaming the effects of the climate crisis, but also arsonists, for the scale of the challenge that Greek authorities have had to meet.