Agora
One night in Cannes
There are few people in the world unhinged enough to have been willing to switch places with Greece's decision makers over the past few years. For all their failings, ministers, prime ministers and others have often found themselves in impossible situations, caught between a baying public at home and obdurate counterparts abroad. We must be clear that there were rarely straightforward solutions to Greece's problems since the start of the crisis.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (290), Politics (407), Economy (342), Greece (520)
On the beaches
The quality of the water at 94 percent of Greek beaches was deemed excellent by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which awarded 408 Blue Flags to Greece this week, the second highest of the 48 countries the organization surveys. The high rating is testament to the care given local authorities, bathers, tourists, volunteers and Mother Nature.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Society (149), Greece (520)
In Spain, the best generation is in danger of becoming the lost generation
A double degree in communication from Paris and Madrid universities, and a master’s in cultural policy at a prestigious British institution may have been enough for getting a job a decade ago in Spain but not now. Laura, 25 and unemployed for one year, voices her pessimism about her future prospects with resignation and defeatism amidst incessant murmuring about a coming economic recovery.
Contributor: Arturo Lopo
Categories: Europe (290), Economy (342), Society (149)
Eurobank: From nationalisation to re-privatisation
Few people noticed in July 2012 that a press release published by Eurobank concerning the intention of its major shareholder, EFG Group which was fully controlled by the Latsis family, would signal radical developments for the bank in the near future.
Contributor: Manos Giakoumis
Categories: Economy (342), Greece (520)
21,717,120,000
21,717,120,000 – This, as we have just discovered, is the total amount of money that has left German coffers since the Greek crisis started in 2010. It corresponds to Germany’s portion of the European Stability Mechanism’s (ESM) paid in capital, which was announced on May 1 as the fund reached its full capital amount following the transfer of five installments since the end of 2012.
Contributor: Yiannis Mouzakis
Categories: Europe (290), Economy (342), Greece (520)