Politics
DIMAR faces struggle to survive in 2014, a year of elections
The New Year has at least two elections in store (local and European) for Greece, while the possibility of a third ballot (national) cannot be ruled out. In these circumstances, the role of Greece’s smaller parties – the ones that could act as future coalition partners – is crucial.
Most popular politics articles of 2013
Here are our three most popular articles from the politics section in 2013. For those who have already read them, a big thank you from the Macropolis team. For those reading them for the first time, we hope it gives you an idea of what we do.
Coalition wins crucial votes but at a price as SYRIZA leads polls
Greece’s fragile coalition survived two tense votes in Parliament on Saturday to close out a particularly challenging year but did so in the knowledge that the respite it can enjouy will be brief. A year that is likely to be even tougher lies ahead.
Two hurdles left for coalition this year before bigger challenges in 2014
Greece’s coalition has two more hurdles to clear before it stumbles over the finishing line at the end of the year, exhausted and battered but not quite yet beaten.
PASOK and DIMAR head for do-or-die moment
With just over five months to go until European Parliament and local elections are held in Greece, the country’s centre left is in a state of confusion and the future of its main players, PASOK and Democratic Left (DIMAR), is unclear.
Move to unite centre left takes next step but potential in doubt
An effort to reinvigorate Greece's centre left took another step this week but doubts persist about whether the initiative, led by 58 personalities from various walks of life, will be able to have a lasting impact.
SYRIZA's left wing sticks to belief Greece should leave euro
The challenge SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras faces in balancing his effort to prepare his party for power while taming or satisfying its more radical elements has been emphasised again after the group’s left wing rekindled the debate about Greece leaving the euro.
Budget passed but troika accord still some way off for Greece
Greece’s coalition completed one of its key tasks for December by obtaining Parliament’s approval for the 2014 budget early on Sunday but was also given an acute reminder of the challenges that still remain as the European Commission confirmed there was no chance of the troika’s Greek program review concluding this month.
Time running out for coalition to find formula on home foreclosures
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras received timely words of encouragement from European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday but his government still finds itself in a tricky position ahead of the troika's return to Athens later this month, when a final decision will have to be taken on home foreclosures.
Support finely balanced as coalition enters make or break December
The New Democracy-PASOK coalition enters this December one of its most crucial months since the June 2012 elections, with Greek politics in flux and public opinion finely balanced, according to the latest opinion polls.