Agora
Posts by Nick Malkoutzis
Making the extraordinary ordinary
It was perhaps the most fitting finale that the people of Lesvos did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month. Not because they did not deserve it for showing such dignity and solidarity in these selfish and unsettling times, but because the help, warmth and care that they did provide was done so selflessly.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (282), Society (142), Greece (498)
Row with church too much for Tsipras's fragile coalition
Whether his prime motivation was to save his own skin or prevent the government from becoming embroiled in a public squabble it would be unable to win, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos sprang into action last week and assured Archbishop Ieroynmos, the head of the Orthodox Church of Greece, that plans to change religion classes in schools would not go ahead without an extensive discussion.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Society (142), Greece (498)
Greek government risks mauling after straying off
The current Greek government’s propensity for shooting itself in the foot should never be underestimated. Last year proved that SYRIZA is particularly adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory but it appears to have outdone itself with the emerging fiasco that is the TV licencing procedure.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Greece (498)
Out with the old, in with the old
Perhaps more so than its promises about debt reduction, its ambitious targets for welfare spending and its abstract pledge to restore pride, what swung it for SYRIZA back in January 2015, when it first came to power, was the hope that it would represent something new.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Greece (498)
Refugee crisis charade adds insult to EU's injuries
Since the European Union and Turkey agreed on a formula in March to manage refugee flows in a more orderly manner, by removing any incentive for migrants to cross the Aegean on their own, the crisis has faded into the background. Aided by the closure of borders in the Balkans and central Europe, the EU–Turkey agreement triggered a significant enough fall in arrivals to make the flow manageable and give much of Europe peace of mind.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Society (142), Greece (498)