MacroPolis

Athens waits for EU recovery fund outcome as new Mati fire claims emerge

The marathon European Council, which began on Friday and is due to continue on Monday afternoon, failed to yield an agreement on the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) after what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said was insufficient progress.

ND tries to stay on top of wildfire as court battle looms over Competition Commission

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has cut short his brief summer holiday due to a large wildfire on the island of Evia, which is the first major test for his government in terms of crisis management.

Mati fire investigation puts spotlight on authorities and government

It appears that SYRIZA is set to come under further scrutiny about its handling of last summer’s wildfire in Mati, which caused 100 deaths, after prosecutors’ investigated how authorities dealt with the disaster.

Expert report highlights systemic failings in aftermath of deadly Mati wildfire

By: Georgia Nakou

A report commissioned by the government into the causes of wildfires in Greece has identified a number of systemic failings behind the increase in the scale and frequency of destructive events, culminating in last summer’s fire at Mati, the deadliest on record.

PWC report finds Greek fire damage above average despite lower incidence

A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) which examined Greece’s firefighting capabilities has found that the country’s system is ineffective when compared to peers.

Under relentless pressure from opponents, Tsipras unveils plans for new crisis agency

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras presented on Thursday the government’s plans for the overhaul of the civil protection authority, seen as one of the major weak points in the response to the Mati fire, which has now claimed 93 lives.

Athens taking more time to consider 2019 measures ahead of budget talks

Apart from its effect on the government’s cohesion and political outlook, the recent wildfire on the outskirts of Athens is also having an impact on the preparations for next year’s budget.

Tsipras tries to take lead in fire response amid picture of confusion

As the investigation into the Mati fire proceeds and more reports of the apparent mishandling of the crisis by authorities emerge, the government is hoping that its focus on tackling the aftermath of the disaster will spare it having to take on the full political cost.

Coalition pledges to demolish illegal buildings following Mati fire

The government attempted on Wednesday to snatch back the initiative in the political battle over the July 23 fire, which caused almost 100 deaths so far.

Is a lack of spending hampering Greece's firefighting capabilities?

By: Georgia Nakou

The Greek government has blamed freak weather conditions, planning violations going back decades and suspected arson for the wildfires that killed at least 91 people just outside Athens last Monday.