How the world sees Greece
The work of the European Commission’s Task Force for Greece is to be completed at the end of February, with the formal completion of the bailout agreement, while a new European agency is expected to replace it. The Task Force’s mandate, which included the... ...
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The total number of foreign visitors to Greece broke the barrier of 20 million in the first 10 months of 2014, reaching 20.8 million according to data released on Tuesday by the Bank of Greece. The figure includes cruise visitors and accounts for a 21.9 p... ...
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Trend trackers have been watching both quinoa and Greek yogurt steadily rise in the American diet. The Star's Quinoa Breakfast Parfait layers quinoa ...
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Greece! "Extra" is giving the ultimate trip to Greece to one lucky friend and a guest! It includes: --Two round-trip airfare tickets on Turkish Airlines and ...
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BY LEILA AMINEDDOLEH - The Greek people regard the carvings as a symbol of their culture, heritage and past. In the same vein, art historians and archaeologists argue that the sculptures are integral to the ancient temple structures still standing in Athens.
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Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has warned of national danger, if lawmakers fail to elect a new president in a third and final round of voting.
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The prosecutor tasked with probing allegations by Independent Greeks MP Pavlos Haikalis that he was offered a bribe to back the government in presidential elections has concluded that the claims are groundless. In a seven-page report, deputy appeals court... ...
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More than half of the children at Greek schools in deprived areas were suffering from a lack of access to enough food to ensure a healthy life, also known as food insecurity, at the start of the academic year in 2013, but this eased slightly thanks to don... ...
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A German company that specializes in eyewear has offered to buy customers a Greek island if they buy 420,000 frames from the company. Libuda Optic World, which manufactures and sells glasses, has offered to buy the island of Aghios Athanasios, with a land... ...
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From the Ebola crisis, to the disappearance of flight MH370 and the brutal beheadings in Syria by members of the Islamic State, 2014 was a remarkable year for international news. Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea in March focused world attention back on Russia, while the fighting between Israel and militants in Gaza in July and August resulted in a combined death toll of nearly 2,000. One of the heart-rending stories of the year emerged from Canada. In the morning of Oct. 22, an army soldier on ceremonial sentry duty at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa was shot and killed in an act of terrorism that reverberated around the world. The murder of Nathan Cirillo came a day after an attack on two Canadian soldiers by a convert to Islam, and the subsequent outpouring of national grief proved a tragic watershed for a country that, like the U.K., the U.S., Spain, Russia, India and many others before it, had now been subjected to domestic terrorism motivated by Islamist extremism. Tragedies befell other countries in 2014. In April, a ferry capsized off the west coast of South Korea, leaving 304 dead. The incident led to a period of national mourning during which many South Koreans wore a yellow ribbon in remembrance. It was also a year of political upheaval, with India holding the largest election in human history. Citizens of Quebec, Italy and Scotland also went to the polls, while France witnessed the unlikely return of scandal-dogged former President Nicolas Sarkozy to the political frontline. There was joy, too, with Germany winning its fourth World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in July, while Greece, a country plagued by economic woes since the 2008 financial crash, witnessed a welcome return of visitors to its beaches and ancient monuments. Below, the editors of The Huffington Post's international editions present what they consider to be the biggest stories of the year in their countries as well as some of the splashes that made 2014 such a memorable year. Note: For ease of navigation, we recommend viewing on a non-mobile device.
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For John Milios, seen as the most hardline of Alexis Tsipras’s advisers, the country’s humanitarian crisis is the top priorityJohn Milios’s phone rings a lot these days. There are hedge funds and financial institutions and investors, all curious to know what the German-trained professor thinks.As chief economist of Syriza, the far-left party that has sent markets into a tailspin as it edges ever closer to power in Greece, the academic has had a prominent role in devising the group’s financial manifesto. Continue reading...
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Prime minister warns of tumult that will ensue if MPs fail in third and final vote to support government’s presidential candidateGreece has come a step closer to a snap general election that could plunge the eurozone into renewed crisis after Athens’ parliament failed for a second time on Tuesday to elect a new head of state.With a cliffhanger third and final vote now due on 29 December, Greece’s beleaguered prime minister, Antonis Samaras, warned MPs of the political tumult that would ensue if they failed then to support the government’s presidential candidate. Early elections could hand power to radical left party Syriza which wants to roll back the austerity the country signed up to in return for its €240bn international bailout. Continue reading...
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The Greek bourse reacted calmly on Tuesday to the result of the presidential vote in Parliament, which while seeing a rise in support for the government’s candidate was still some way off the result required in next Monday’s third and final vote. The majo... ...
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The Greek parliament failed to produce the majority needed to elect a president and avoid general elections, but did pick up a few more independents ...
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Greek military was set on alert earlier today after a new barrage of the country’s air space (Athens FIR) violations by Turkish jets that flew over the Aegean Sea on Monday. According to information emerging from the Greek Ministry of National Defense ...
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German 10-year yields were about three basis points from a record low on Tuesday, outperforming higher-yielding peers, as Greece’s failure to elect a president boosted the anti-austerity opposition’s chances of ousting the government. Greek securities dro... ...
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For example, students learned about Roman numerals in math, and in science about a plague that ravaged the ancient city of Athens in Greece all ...
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The Environment and Health ministries on Tuesday issued a joint statement asking households to limit their use of fireplaces, particularly in urban areas, today as weather conditions are likely to aggravate atmospheric pollution. Last year and the year be... ...
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Greek military authorities were on standby on Tuesday after a new spate of air space violations in the Aegean by Turkish aircraft on Monday. A formation of six Turkish fighter jets entered Greek air space over the northern and central Aegean, according to... ...
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European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici’s unnecessary – and unseemly – visit to Athens served to spotlight Europe’s corrosive politics.
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Greeks spend almost 50 minutes a day commuting to and from work, slightly above the European average, according to a new survey. It takes Greeks 49 minutes and 40 seconds to commute on average each day, whereas the average in 12 European countries surveye... ...
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Greek football federation (EPO) President Giorgos Sarris resigned on Tuesday, during a meeting of the federation’s board. Sarris had been under heavy criticism over his choice of Claudio Ranieri as the national team coach last summer, following Greece’s most successful World Cup campaign ever, when it came a missed penalty away from the quarterfinals. Since then, Greece has lost all three home games in the Euro 2016, including a humiliating loss to the lowly Faroe Islands on November 14. After that loss, Sarris had said that blame on the choice of coach was exclusively his but added he had no intention to resign. Speaking to a radio station Tuesday, Sarris said that the reason he had resigned had to do with blocked state funds to EPO after the federation was found owing back taxes. He said his resignation would unblock funds for amateur clubs. Sarris added he did not want to get into politics, denying rumors that had him campaigning as a candidate for Greek main opposition SYRIZA in case of snap elections. (source: ana-mpa)
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Greece needs to hold third round to elect the country's president, presidential candidate Stavros Dimas requires at least 200 votes from the ...
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Now let me get this straight: UN and State Department officials are pressing - my country of origin and America's long-time ally - Cyprus, to agree to Turkey's latest attempt to steal Cyprus' large natural gas discovery? Did these officials not hear Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently say that the US, "wants us dead, they like seeing our children die"? Did they not hear ISIL leaders recently say that, "without Turkey, the Islamic State would not be in its current place. Tigris to Jordan, Palestine to Lebanon, Sunni Law will rule." Are they doing this to Cyprus because of Turkey's tease to allow us to use our base at Incirlik to stop ISIL? Aren't they aware of our American reporter and mother of two, Serena Shim, who just now exposed their transit of ISIL fighters to Syria in "humanitarian aid" trucks, was threatened by Turkey's CIA and days later was mysteriously killed? And, have they forgotten Turkey's never-fulfilled five-year-old monthly State Department tease-commitment to reopen the theological school of the spiritual head of the second largest Christian Church in the world, Orthodox Christianity, President Obama embarrassingly announced in Korea? Turkey is asking Cyprus - who does virtually everything the US asks - to cave to the demands of Erdogan who, only recently, said that "The US never landed on the moon" and "Muslims discovered America in 1178, not Christopher Columbus." Erdogan also said that "Equality between men and women is against nature" and that "Israel has surpassed Hitler in barbarism." Women, Israel and any other group attacked by Erdogan's outrageous statements and actions are injured when America supports Erdogan's outrageousness, as we are on Cyprus. To throw Cyprus under the bus for such an Anti-American is clearly contrary to American and Israeli interests. Have our policymakers forgotten that Cyprus and Israel are our only real allies in their extremely dangerous hotbed region of anti-American extremism? Aren't they aware that Islamist terrorist attacks are now being ordered and funded from their new international headquarters in Turkey? Have they not read about the de facto Russo-Turkey gas pipeline alliance that could shift the regional balance of power decisively in Moscow's favor? Have they forgotten that the Cypriot people live in one of only six countries allied with us in every international conflict in the 20th Century? Could it be that UN and State Department officials actually believe Erdogan's claims that he effectively owns any hydrocarbons found in another Mediterranean country's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)? Why else would they reward with this pressure on Cyprus, Erdogan's decision to illegally send a seismic ship escorted by naval vessels into Cyprus' EEZ? Why else would they support his demands that the government of Cyprus give a degree of de facto recognition of some Turkish control over Cyprus' EEZ? He wants this de facto recognition through the Government of Cyprus at an official public meeting acquiescing to Turkey's very public demand that Cyprus commit much of its gas to Turkey, through Turkey's puppet Turkish-Cypriot regime. Don't the UN and our US officials remember that sharing gas with Cyprus' Turkish-Cypriot community was taken care of generously a few years ago when the then President of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriot community made an agreement on the distribution of federal revenue? It was then agreed - and this is still valid today - that the Turkish Cypriots would get the lion's share of the federal government's GDP earmarked for development and infrastructure until such a time as the per capita income of the Turkish Cypriot economy reaches that of the Greek Cypriot economy. Could these officials be pushing Cyprus to give Turkey more of its sovereign rights on the promise of an Erdogan step toward ending his illegal military occupation of over 1/3rd of Cyprus? Such Turkish promises have been given - for over 40 years now - in exchange for some of Cyprus's sovereign rights at every Cyprus negotiation. Yet, not one Turkish promise has been kept. This is Erdogan's pattern. Did he reciprocate when President Obama pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize on worldwide television for the flotilla incident? No. Instead, Erdogan responded by accusing Israel of causing the coup in Egypt. Maybe this bizarre UN and US treatment of Cyprus is the result of Erdogan's diplomatic skill. Maybe he is leading UN and US officials down this naïve pro-Turkish, anti-American and anti-Western path to demonstrate how he treats people who he says want to "see his children die". In the 1990s America sent billions upon billions of dollars worth of arms to Turkey. Then our officials wised up and stopped it when they saw our arms being pointed at our western allies. We saw those same guns misused again recently as they remained unfired in Turkish hands as they watched ISIL slaughter innocent people. It is clear that UN and State Department pressure on Cyprus and Turkey's incursion in Cyprus' EEZ has never been about Turkish-Cypriot gas rights. Erdogan recently ordered Turkish schools to start teaching the language used during the Ottoman Empire in place of modern Turkish. Our actions are simply helping put symbolic meat on the bones of Erdogan's claim that he is re-establishing the Ottoman Empire's regional control, power and ability to bully. It is time that the UN and the State Department remind themselves over and over about: (1) Erdogan's outrageous statements and anti-western actions, (2) the clear support Turkey is giving ISIL and other Islamic terrorist fanatics and (3) that America and Israel's long term interests dictate standing by our ally Cyprus and clearly showing this support with deeds not just words. Time to wise up, America!
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WWI was one of the first truly modern conflicts. Fought mainly along trenches, the war saw the introduction of chemical weapons, tanks, and aerial combat, alongside the first widespread use of machine guns. All of these developments brought a degree of mechanized slaughter to the battlefield that had never been seen in any previous conflict. Intermixed with all this destruction is the "Christmas Truce" of Dec. 25, 1914. On that day, German and British soldiers "walk[ed] about together all day giving each other cigars and singing songs," as British General Walter Congreve wrote in a newly discovered letter. The soldiers also played soccer during the now-famous truce. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Christmas Truce, The Open University has created a collection of images from throughout World War I of soldiers participating in friendly games of soccer. All ranks took the opportunity to enjoy a game of soccer. Here, a British general is about to kick off a friendly match between British and Italian troops on the war's Italian front line. The games provided a much-needed way for soldiers to relax during the long years of the war. The games proved to be an extremely popular form of entertainment for players and spectators both. Soldiers crowded the sidelines for this match near the Italian front. Games would spontaneously break out among soldiers whenever they had free time and no matter what they were wearing — as was the case during this impromptu game on Christmas Day in Greece, in 1915. Given the lack of easily accessible supplies on the front, games were generally played with whatever spare equipment could be found. This game took place on Christmas, 1916, along the Balkan front. World War I took a heavy human and psychological toll. Some armies held soccer matches during the war as a way to maintain their soldiers' flagging morale. Here, a major general presents a cup to a winning soccer team during a tournament in 1918. SEE ALSO: These incredible colorized photographs bring World War I to life Join the conversation about this story »
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Former Greek Prime Minister and PASOK leader George Papandreou will reportedly announce the formation of a new political party by the end of 2014, according to Greek television. In the last few months, Papandreou has been seen distancing himself from the center-left party founded by his father, Andreas Papandreou, in 1974. There are hints that he is preparing to form a new party with PASOK members that are close to him. Current PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos is making efforts to maintain the party’s unity that has been on a downslope. Venizelos asked to meet with Papandreou before the second Presidential ballot at the Greek Parliament. The meeting lasted twenty minutes and Venizelos later hinted that the two men did not agree on anything. PASOK sources say that Venizelos proposed a party convention in early January and Papandreou declined. “We will make all efforts to keep the party united,” said Venizelos. He also noted that Papandreou belongs in the PASOK ballot. At the same time, Papandreou appears ready to proceed with the establishment of his new party. The official announcement is estimated on December 30, one day after the scheduled third ballot for the election of the Greek President. However, Papandreou refused to comment on the matter. According to iefimerida.gr, the dialogue between the two men was as follows: Venizelos: “George, they say you will form a party.” Papandreou: “I read that myself too, Vangelis…” Venizelos: “You have to be on the lists of PASOK. You can dispute me after the elections. You have the moral and political obligation to be on the lists of the party from which you emerged. I speak as the President of PASOK, but also as a friend of your father, Andreas Papandreou. Your place is in the PASOK ballot so we can fight the election battle together, whenever that be. I am open to whatever you want.” Papandreou: “What PASOK? The party that went to the European elections as Elia? You know that I disagree with that.” Venizelos: “We will go to the elections as PASOK-Democratic Alignment with the sun logo. And whoever breaks the Democratic Alignment and PASOK union will be solely responsible.” Papandreou: “My position is known and publicly expressed. On that I have not received an answer. PASOK needs a rebirth shock.”
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A fall in Greek stocks kept a lid on gains in European equities on Tuesday, as the Athens bourse was hit by the prospect of early elections that could put Greece's rescue package at risk. The pan-European ...
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Greek Fire is at the Ready Room with a show Jan. 24. Show time is at 8 p.m.. Tickets are $15, available through ticketfly.com. Get more information at ...
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Alexis Tsipras, opposition leader and head of radical leftist Syriza party, looks on during the second of three rounds of a presidential vote at the Greek ...
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The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade represented Egypt, while the Greek Ministry of International Cooperation represented Athens ...
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Greece’s government on Tuesday announced a primary budget surplus of 3.566 billion euros in the January-November period, up from 2.778 billion in the same period last year and a 2015 budget target of 2.875 billion euros. A Greek Finance Ministry report said that the state budget recorded a cash deficit of 1.827 billion euros in the 11-month period, from a deficit of 3.155 billion in 2013 and 2015 budget target of 2.533 billion euros. Net budget revenue totaled 45.928 billion euros in the January-November period, down 2.4% from the 2015 budget target, while regular budget net revenue totaled 41.774 billion euros, down 2.2% from the 2015 budget target. Tax revenue totaled 39.552 billion euros in the 11-month period, down 1.7% from budget target, with property tax revenue surpassing target by 0.1%, capital transfer tax revenue surpassing target by 7.7%, income tax revenue higher by 2.7%, VAT on oil products revenue surpassing target by 4.9% and special energy consumption tax revenue surpassing target by 1.5%. Tax returns totaled 3.074 billion euros, up 205 million euros from the 2015 budget target. Public Investment Program revenue totaled 4.154 billion euros, down 203 million euros from the 2015 budget target. State budget spending totaled 47.755 billion euros in the January-November period, down 1.828 billion euros from the 2015 budget target, with regular budget spending at 43.207 billion euros (down 1.327 billion from target), reflecting a cut in primary spending by 1.121 billion and a reduction in defense spending by 155 million euros. Regular budget spending was down 7.0% compared to the same period in 2013. Greek Public Investment Program spending totaled 4.547 billion euros in the 11-month period, down 500 million euros from budget target but up 598 million from the same period in 2013. (source: ana-mpa)
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"Neither this parliament, nor the Greek people are going to sign a blank cheque to Mr. Samaras in order to let him carry on with the austerity measures that cut down on pensions and health services and ravage Greek society." Greek MPs are gearing up for a ...
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The number of independent MPs currently present in the Greek Parliament reached 25 today, after Niki Founta’s departure from Democratic Left’s (DIMAR) parliamentary group. In terms of numbers, this development means that, at the moment, the independent MPs consist the fourth force in the Greek Parliament, after the ruling New Democracy, main opposition SYRIZA and coalition partner PASOK, and ahead of Independent Greeks (ANEL), DIMAR, Greek Communist Party (KKE) and Golden Dawn. Bearing in mind that out of those 25, 13 have already voted in favor of the only candidate for the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic, Stavros Dimas, one could easily understand why the two major parties, New Democracy and SYRIZA, have focused on them, as their vote could result to the election of a new President. It should be noted that the coalition government of New Democracy and PASOK currently consists of 155 MPs, while SYRIZA has 71. “Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ turn towards consensus was fruitful today. The Presidential election starts now,” independent MP Vassilis Economou, who voted “Yes” to Dimas’ candidacy, said while emerging from the second Presidential ballot, earlier today. Asked on whether a movement of independent MPs has been formed towards the direction of Dimas’ election, he replied that “it is all, and should be, about politics.” On his behalf, independent MP Kostas Giovanopoulos, who also voted in favor of Dimas’ candidacy, underlined that “the country needs enlightened leadership. When you ask for consensus, you must also offer it,” adding that there is room for common sense. Commenting on his negative vote during the first ballot last week, he said that “there was not something that made me change. My stance in the first voting was a cry for the need for understanding.” Furthermore, another MP, who changed his vote in favor of Dimas, Panagiotis Melas, commenting on the third round of the Presidential election, highlighted that he cannot make an estimation as “MPs are bound. They are not independent.”
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THE Greek parliament has failed for a second time to approve a new president, bringing the country closer to a snap election early next year.
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The second of three attempts by Greece's parliament to approve the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' nominee for president has failed, sending the ...
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.] ...
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Christmas is the holiday celebrated by millions around the globe that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Dates To Know In many Western churches, the Advent liturgical season celebrates the season leading up to Christmas. This year, it began on Nov. 30, and will continue until Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25, 2014. The Eastern Churches' equivalent of Advent, the Nativity Fast, is 40 days long and began on Nov. 15, 2014. Epiphany will fall on January 6, 2015, which is the 12th day after Christmas. Orthodox Christmas Day will be celebrated on January 7, 2015. Religious Significance Although the four Gospels in the New Testament differ in their accounts, the common Christmas narrative of the birth of Jesus associated with Christmas starts with Mary, who agrees to bear the Son of God after Angel Gabriel announces the news to her. The Gospel of Luke goes on to describe the travels of Joseph and the pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem to take the census, and the subsequent birth of Jesus. Mary places the baby in a manger because there is no room for them in an inn. Angels proclaim him Messiah or the Christ, shepherds come to adore him, and kings or wise men come bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The feast of Epiphany commemorates the wise men's arrival, and in some communities is more widely celebrated than Christmas Day. Some traditions celebrate the baptism of Jesus on this day as well. Traditions Christmas celebrations vary widely around the world. Nativity plays and Christmas pageants that depict the story of the birth of Christ are often performed around Christmas. Festive carols are sung, as people celebrate the warm and joyous season. Many families place gifts under a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, to open on Christmas morning. Church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are popular with many people. Christmas is a time to celebrate faith and family. Santa Claus, or St. Nick, is a popular part of Christmas in many countries. The fantastical character arrived in American in the nineteenth century, as new German immigrants arrived with the traditions of the Christmas tree, Christmas gifts and the story of St. Nicholas. By the end of the century, Santa Claus was an important part of Christmas in the United States. American children believe he travels from the North Pole in a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve. He fills their Christmas stockings with treats, and enters and exits the house through the chimney. The name "Santa Claus" comes from St. Nicholas' nickname of "Sinter Klaas" in Dutch. St. Nicholas was born in the third century, in a village on Turkey's southern coast. He was known as a protector and helper of children, as well as the poor, and was associated with gift-giving due to stories about his generosity. He became the Bishop of Myra later in his life, and his tomb became a popular pilgrimage site after his death. History Of Christmas History.com's feature on the history of Christmas says: In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger. Merry Christmas!
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A group of male politicians have been caught on camera laughing as their fellow MP secretly sniffs a female colleague's coat during a vote in the ...
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Greek lawmakers failed to reach a majority in favor of the official candidate, Stavros Dimas, on Tuesday but the tally improved to 168 in favor from 160 ...
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2015 could begin with bad news from Greece. The governing coalition has put forward a candidate for the Greek presidency, and has said that if he is ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.morningstar.co.uk |
ATHENS — Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed to capture the support needed to elect a new president in a second round of voting on ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.bdlive.co.za |
The Greek Parliament failed to elect a new President of the Hellenic Republic in the second consecutive ballot. Stavros Dimas, the only candidate for the Greek Presidency, nominated by the coalition government partners, New Democracy and PASOK, and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ favorite, failed to be elected in the second of three rounds of voting for the Presidential Election, as he did not gain the necessary support of 200 MPs needed to be elected. The third ballot will take place on Monday, December 29 at midday. In the third ballot a majority of 180 MPs is needed for the election of the new President. A total of 168 MPs voted “yes” for Dimas, while 131 blank votes opposed the election. One MP was not present during the vote. In detail, besides the 155 votes by the government majority, Stavros Dimas took the affirmative votes of 13 more deputies. Specifically, five independent MPs who voted for Mr. Dimas during the first ballot also voted in his favor for the second, namely Spyros Lykoudis, Grigoris Psarianos, Giorgos Ntavris, Christos Aidonis and Katerina Markou. Additionally, eight more independent MPs voted “yes” for Mr. Dimas than in the first ballot. Namely, Giannis Kourakos, Vasillis Economou, Mika Iatridi, Panagiotis Melas, Kostas Giovanopoulos, Giorgos Kasapidis, Stathis Boukouras and Chrysovalantis Alexopoulos. Democratic Left (DIMAR) MP, Niki Founta, who shortly before the procedure announced her departure from the party’s parliamentary group, gave a blank vote, as another DIMAR MP, Thomas Psirras did, who according to sources is also departing from the party. Independent MPs Byron Polidoras, Petros Tatsopoulos and Mimis Androulakis also insisted on blank votes for the second time Maria Kollia of Independent Greeks (ANEL) was absent from the second ballot, due to health reasons. The entire parliamentary groups of opposition parties (SYRIZA, ANEL, KKE, DIMAR and Golden Dawn) also gave a blank vote.
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The former head of Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security, Petko Sertov, missing since leaving his home in Sofia on December 5, is alive and in ...
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The Interior Ministry had information that Sertov has reached the border with Greece, but did not have official notification from the local police of his ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.novinite.com |
After a second round of voting, the Greek parliament still has not succeeded in electing a president. The government's candidate, Stavros Dimas, ...
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ATHENS (AFP) - Greece stood a step away from early elections that could repudiate its international bailout and rekindle a eurozone crisis after ...
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Even more concerning is the possibility that Greece could exit its bailout program early and potentially even abandon the euro under the rule of a ...
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The voting will either enable the coalition government of the prime minister to remain in power or lead to a snap general election and new political and financial upheaval.
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The deputy prosecutor responsible for investigating allegations by Independent Greeks MP Pavlos Haikalis that he was offered a bribe in order to back the government's presidential candidate has concluded that there is no basis for criminal prosecution. In... ...
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The European Commission has officially rejected two projects regarding Athens’ regeneration. According to the documents that were submitted to the Greek Parliament by the Infrastructure Ministry, the Operational Infrastructure, Transport, Environment and Sustainable Development Program for the period 2014-2020 was presented on November 28 without the pedestrianization of Panepistimiou Street in central Athens and the Faliro Bay redevelopment. In fact, the ministry document stated that the new operational program “does not include the redevelopment of Panepistimiou Street and Faliro Bay, after Greek authorities spoke with the European Commission representatives, who expressed their reservations regarding the projects mentioned above.” On November 23, there were several rumors, according to which the European Commission had rejected these projects, because they were deemed unnecessary. The European Commission sent an ultimatum to the Greek government, demanding the exclusion of the two projects from the new NSRF. The Commission claimed that “decorative projects” should not be funded during a period when resources are limited and the completion of the country’s trans-European networks, as well as other higher priority projects are still pending. However, the document submitted by the Infrastructure Ministry to the Greek Parliament stressed that the Athens regeneration projects would not be forgotten. Greek authorities are planning on arranging a consultation with the European Commission in order to highlight the projects’ viability and development value in regards to tourism, but also for the environmental improvement of life in the Greek capital.
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