Politics
Govt moving ahead with social security fund overhaul despite opposition
The government passed on Thursday legislation that it argues will lead to a substantial overhaul of Greece’s much-troubled main social security fund, EFKA. There were, however, strong objections from the opposition parties.
Govt mulls Easter bonus as cost-of-living crisis causes public concern
Worsening inflation date on the one hand and ebbing polling figures on the other are creating divergent challenges for Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s government, which is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain consistency in its messaging.
ND seeks to capitalise on divergent views over defence procurements
Although there was broad approval in Parliament on Tuesday for Greece’s purchase of an extra six Rafale jets and up to 4 Belharra frigates from France, the debate around the procurements still provided ample opportunity for political differences, particularly between New Democracy and SYRIZA to be aired.
Tsipras repeats call for elections with one eye on rising KINAL
Opposition leader Alexis Tsipras has gone on the offensive against the government’s positive narrative, questioning New Democracy’s record of crisis management and calling for early elections.
PM pledges more support as he seeks to resist inflation, pandemic threats
The government is searching for a way to break out of the corner in which inflation and its own missteps have placed it, with the drive being led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who promised more financial support for consumers as well as further tax cuts over the weekend.
Athens prepares response to Turkey challenging sovereignty over eastern Aegean islands
Recent statements by Turkish officials questioning Greece’s sovereignty over islands in the eastern Aegean has caused discomfort in Athens.
Hooliganism poses familiar set of challenges for government
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired a meeting with several key ministers on Friday to discuss the government’s approach to hooliganism after the recent death of a football supporter in Thessaloniki posed the latest challenge to New Democracy’s law and order narrative.
Govt pins hopes on lifting Covid restrictions in March as experts tread more cautious path
The government in Athens is hoping that easing Covid restrictions in the coming weeks will give it a good news story to compensate for the continuing headache of cost-of-living increases and the narrowing spending path.
Govt unveils new round of energy subsidies as fiscal space narrows significantly
The government announced on Wednesday the latest round of subsidies for electricity bills as the opposition upped the pressure on ministers over the cost of living crisis, knowing that New Democracy is an increasingly tight spot over the issue due to the limited fiscal space available.
Mitsotakis forced to wield axe as legacy issues resurface
A cabinet minister has been forced to resign and a veteran New Democracy politician has been expelled from the party after being caught on video apparently joking about the ND government using cash handouts to win the 2007 elections.