Politics
Stress-free vote on multi-bill but bigger challenges lie ahead for Tsipras
There were no surprises for the government in Tuesday night’s vote on the multi-bill of prior actions, including the sale of a first batch of non-performing loans (NPLs), as all 153 coalition MPs supported the legislation.
SYRIZA fails to make any friends with new public sector wage grid
The government has found itself under attack from all sides over the changes to the public sector wage grid, which are due to be voted on in Parliament on Tuesday evening.
Deflated SYRIZA shuns broader political cooperation for now
A meeting of SYRIZA’s central committee over the weekend ended with the members rejecting the idea of broadening the governing coalition and deciding to hold the party congress in April.
Gov't hopes deal with lenders on prior actions will prove politically palatable
Greece and its lenders have reached an agreement on the details of the 13 prior actions the government will have to pass to trigger the release of another 1 billion euros in bailout funds.
SYRIZA tries to compose itself ahead of next vote on prior actions
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due to address SYRIZA’s central committee on Saturday, ahead of the upcoming vote on the next set of bailout-related prior actions.
Energy drives closer cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt
Greece, Cyprus and Egypt have agreed to accelerate talks on the outstanding issues related to the delineation of the three countries' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).
Doubts over IMF role in Greek bailout becoming source of rising tension
The role of the International Monetary Fund in the third Greek bailout is starting to become a bone of contention between the SYRIZA-Independent Greeks government and some of its lenders.
Tsipras seeks MPs' loyalty before next vote, leaves door open on future alliances
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras sought in a televised interview on Monday night to quash any discussion about him forming a broader coalition but also sent a message to his own MPs, who may be wavering ahead of votes on a new set of prior actions in the next few days and pension reforms in January.
Mood sours as focus switches to next set of prior actions
The 2016 budget was passed relatively comfortably on Saturday, with all 153 coalition MPs voting for the economic plan, but attention is quickly shifting to the next set of prior actions that Greece has to pass before Christmas.
Kerry positive during Athens visit, shows keen interest in Cyprus and energy
Strong support for Greece over its struggle to handle the refugee situation and the economic reform programme were the main public messages to emerge from the visit to Athens by US Secretary of State John Kerry last Friday.