MacroPolis

Covid-19 lockdown, slump suppress electricity demand and edge out lignite

By: Georgia Nakou

Electricity consumption in Greece plummeted by -9.8 percent in April compared to the same month last year due to the emergency pandemic measures and economic slowdown.

Parties jostle over economic data, public still backs ND approach on pandemic

The publication of preliminary GDP data for the first quarter of the year has sparked a war of words between government officials and the opposition.

First challenges for tourism plan, as public relaxes approach to virus

As the Greek PM and tourism minister prepare to launch a promotional campaign for Greek tourism on Thursday, the government’s plan to attract visitors this summer is starting to come up against challenges of both a practical and a political nature.

Lockdown reduced spread of Covid-19 by 80 pct, research indicates

Greece’s early and aggressive tackling of the coronavirus pandemic in the country led to a drop in transmissions by 81 percent, a new study has shown.

EU funds seen as cushioning Covid-19 impact, giving govt fiscal space

Greece took another step towards normality on Monday as primary schools reopened along with a range of business, including hotels and catering firms, as the number of deaths from the coronavirus reached 177.

Athens welcomes volume, form of Commission's pandemic recovery plan

There was a pleasant surprise for Greece on Wednesday when the European Commission announced its proposal for a Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) of 750 billion euros, which will be attached to the 1.1 trillion euros multi-year fiscal framework of 2021-2027.

Govt pushes tourism message, digests EU stimulus proposal

The Greek government, which stands to gain up to 32 billion euros in grants and loans from the Recovery Fund proposed by the European Commission, continues to keep the re-opening of the tourism sector at the top of the its agenda.

Gloomy preliminary results for Aegean as state support talk gathers pace

Greece’s national airline, Aegean Airlines, has sounded the alarm over its first quarter (Q1) results which showed a sharp drop in revenues in the third month of the quarter, dragging the entire quarter down.

Govt and opposition stake out positions on pandemic impact measures

As Greece gradually lifts its emergency measures, the main political parties are using the opportunity to clarify their positions on several key issues to do with managing the pandemic and its aftermath.

Economic relief eyed as Greece launches fourth round of lockdown easing

The fourth stage of the easing of Greece’s lockdown began on Monday, when cafes and restaurants were permitted to welcome sitting customers – another move that the government hopes will ease the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis.