Politics
Coalition returns to work with one eye on centre-left leadership contest
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras chaired on Monday morning the first cabinet meeting since the summer break, with the government focussing on legislative activity ahead of the premier’s appearance at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) and his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in the coming days.
Tsipras and Mitsotakis look for new impetus from Thessaloniki appearances
Greece’s two main parties, which have spent much of the last week arguing about the historic legacy of Nazism and Communism, are turning their attention to next month’s Thessaloniki International Fair.
Athens readies labour legislation, but not to cross off prior actions
After a brief summer break, the Greek government is preparing to resume legislative activity, although its next move will not be linked to dozens of bailout commitments that are still pending.
Coalition faces demanding September on reform, fiscal and economic fronts
The brief respite for the government from bailout-related tasks is coming to an end as focus is gradually moving towards the next bailout review and the prior actions that Athens has to complete.
Macron visit gives Tsipras chance to build ties, refocus
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is hoping that he can redirect the domestic debate and voters’ attention towards next year’s expected exit from the programme with the help of the early September visit to Greece by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Fires latest obstacle to coalition's momentum-building efforts
The government and opposition continued to trade accusations over the recent forest fires on Thursday as the coalition struggled to play down the damage done by the blazes over the last few days.
Relief for coalition as wildfire threat subsides
Some pressure was taken off the government on Wednesday, when firefighters appeared to bring under control a large forest fire that had been burning for three days north of Athens.
SYRIZA tests PASOK waters with talk of possible alliance
The coalition’s efforts to dampen any speculation about a rift between SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL) have been accompanied by a revival of the effort to explore the idea of Alexis Tsipras’s party working with PASOK in the future.
Thessaloniki bus firm row adds to public sector challenges
The row about the appointment of Stelios Pappas, the father of Digital Policy Minister Nikos Pappas, as the new head of the Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organisation (OASTH) looks like it will rumble on through August but there is no sign that the coalition will back down on the matter.
Coalition's ideological contrasts highlighted but Kammenos quashes rift talk
Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, who leads the junior coalition partner ANEL, attempted on Thursday to nip in the bud any speculation that his party and SYRIZA are about to go their separate ways over ideological differences.