Greek Politics
Tsipras plays to domestic gallery over IMF dispute
Speaking to SYRIZA MPs on Monday night, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras gave no clear indication that he intends to use the furore over the WikiLeaks transcript to force a situation in which the International Monetary Fund leaves the Greek programme.
Migrant arrivals to measure impact of return scheme launched on Monday
Greece returned 202 migrants on Monday, the first day that the European Union’s plan for stemming the migratory flow and resettling refugees directly from Turkey was put into action.
Leaked IMF exchange sours mood before bailout review resumes
This week will serve as a good guide to whether the furore over the publication by WikiLeaks of a secretly recorded conversation between Poul Thomsen, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s European department, and Delia Velculescu, the IMF mission chief will be a temporary domestic distraction or could undermine the uneasy relationship between Greece and its lenders, and among the institutions themselves.
New Democracy sticks by snap polls call as gov't looks to probe, tender for relief
Following Tuesday night’s tempestuous debate in Parliament, New Democracy stole a march on an apparently unprepared government by tabling on Wednesday a proposal for a parliamentary committee to investigate last year’s bailout negotiations, the imposition of capital controls and the bank recapitalisation.
Calls for snap polls, parliamentary probes set tone for polarised politics
Tuesday night’s parliamentary debate, which was supposed to focus on judicial issues, turned into a slanging match between the government and the opposition and set the tone for the upcoming months as far as the Greek political scene is concerned.
Obstacles to centre-left alliance in Greek politics piling up
PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata is set to begin touring the country to raise the profile of her party but has not given up hope of brokering an alliance with some of its rivals even though this is increasingly looking like a non-starter.
New nationalist party in the making
The creation of a new right-wing nationalist party in Greece appears to be at an advanced stage, with an announcement of its launch expected within days.
Assorted obstacles block path to change of parties in coalition
Last week’s unrest in government ranks over Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas referring to Greece’s neighbour as “Macedonia” sparked speculation that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras might part ways with coalition partner Panos Kammenos and his Independent Greeks (ANEL) party.
Coalition crisis on hold as Kammenos eases up
Threats of an imminent government collapse due to Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas referring to Greece’s neighbour simply as “Macedonia” appear to have diminished over the last 24 hours.
Coalition's future in question over minister's gaffe
Greece’s governing coalition was plunged into uncertainty on Tuesday night after Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas slipped up in a TV interview and referred to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) simply as “Macedonia.”