MacroPolis

Mitsotakis faces press in attempt to defuse criticism over wildfire handling

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave an extended press conference on Thursday as part of what is seen as a concerted effort by the government to address the criticism it has faced over the management of the catastrophic forest fires of the prior week.

Anger over wildfires grows as PM prepares lines of defence

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government are coming under greater pressure by the day as the authorities struggle to contain and extinguish wildfires in Greece, particularly on the island of Evia, where more than 45,000 hectares of land has been burnt since the blaze began there last week.

Politicians have commissioned, and largely ignored, multiple reports on wildfires

By: Georgia Nakou

In February 2019, the then leader of the opposition Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the publication of an expert committee report on the management of forest fires in Greece, calling its recommendations “a blueprint for the steps we will follow”.

Wildfires rekindle longstanding political battle as heatwave forces agenda change

The annual political clash over the response to wildfires in Greece began in earnest this weekend as blazes raged in various parts of Greece, particularly Achaia and Rhodes.

Parties turn attention to green transition as climate issues move up political agenda

New Democracy and SYRIZA have turned their attention to environmental issues over the past few days as Parliament prepares to debate the contentious labour bill on which the government has placed considerable political emphasis.

Move to legislate on climate change offers opening to bolster environmental laws

Greek political parties took a step towards creating the first national climate change legislation in a special joint committee session in Parliament on Tuesday.

After submitting RRF plan, govt turns to challenges of delivery

After officially submitting its national RRF plan to the European Commission this week, attention in Greece is turning to the challenges of implementation.

ND courts youth vote with targeted pandemic relief, recovery schemes

There has been good news and bad for New Democracy this week, as the latest polling figures show a boost in support for the ruling party, while growing evidence of dissatisfaction among younger voters is prompting the government to announce targeted support measures.

New development law chips away at Greece's Natura 2000 regime

By: Georgia Nakou

Controversial legislation passed by the Greek Parliament contains a provision which could open the door to commercial exploitation of parts of the Natura 2000 network, in contravention of EU legislation.

WWF sets out road to green economic recovery in post-Covid landscape

WWF Greece has released a blueprint for Greece’s green recovery which outlines a number of steps for the government to take to improve the country’s environmental profile.