Politics

In the summer of 2022, the current head of socialist party Pasok, Nikos Androulakis - then an MEP - was informed by the EU Parliament's IT experts that he had received a malicious text message from an unknown sender, containing spy software.This Predator spyware, which is marketed by the Athens-based Israeli company Intellexa, can get access to a device's messages, camera, and microphone – turning a person's phone against them.Things escalated after Androulakis also discovered that he had been tracked for "national security reasons" by Greece's National Intelligence Service (EYP).Just a month after taking office in the summer of 2019, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis had placed EYP directly under his supervision.His conservative government was suddenly at the heart of the crisis. The head of EYP, Pa...

According to an Opinion Poll survey, New Democracy (ND) stands at 29.7% in estimated voting intention, recording a loss of half a percentage point compared to November. The poll, presented on Action 24’s main news bulletin, shows ND maintaining a substantial lead of 16.1 percentage points over PASOK, whose support remains virtually unchanged, posting a marginal decline of 0.1 points. PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis also continues to show stagnant figures in leadership suitability, ranking fourth for the premiership. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis leads the category with a 19.4-point advantage over Zoe Konstantopoulou, who has made a political comeback through the parliamentary inquiry into the OPEKEPE scandal. Also polling higher than the PASOK lead...

The Greek government is urgently seeking a pressure valve to release mounting intra-party tension sparked by its decision to shut down branches of the Hellenic Post (ELTA). The Prime Minister’s office at Maximos Mansion is under fire after a wave of outrage from ruling New Democracy (ND) MPs, who accuse officials of blindsiding them with a politically explosive move.The government’s initial “damage-control” tactic — a three-month suspension of the closures for regional post offices — appears to have failed to calm local communities or convince party members of the necessity of the plan.Communication Failure or Political Misfire?Officially, the administration insists that the uproar stems merely from poor communication by ELTA’s management and the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Particip...

The integration of the Athens Stock Exchange into the Euronext Group is bringing about significant developments for the Greek sovereign bond market, as it paves the way for an agreement between the Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) and the pan-European body to enhance the activity and liquidity of Greek securities. Euronext’s bond trading platform, MTS, one of the many existing Greek bond trading platforms, now receives enhanced recognition from the Hellenic Securities Exchange and becomes “equal” with the Greek HDAT (Electronic Secondary Securities Market) with regard to specific criteria. This gives MTS Greece a head start over other trading platforms, such as BGC, Marex (formerly HPC/OTCex) and Tradition, something that legally could not have been implemented without the acquisition ...

The four F-16 aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force have arrived in Cyprus as part of the strengthening of preventive measures and the close cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and our country, following the attack by two drones on the British base at RAF Akrotiri. Specifically, in a post, the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, stated: “Four F-16 aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force have just landed in Cyprus, following the immediate response of the Greek Government, within the framework of strengthening preventive measures and the close cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and Greece.” It is also noted that the frigates “Kimon” and “Psara” are expected to arrive in Cyprus, with the latter to be equipped with the “Centaur” syste...

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Popular Greek singer-songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos, known for his allegorical and deeply poetic lyrics that commented on Greek politics, identity and society, has died. He was 80. A prominent figure on the Greek cultural and intellectual scene, Savvopoulos died Tuesday night, his family announced on his official social media account. The musician had been hospitalized in recent days, and had been battling cancer for several years. Known by his nickname Nionios — a commonly used nickname for Dionysis — Savvopoulos rose to prominence in the 1960s, gaining national fame with his subtly revolutionary songs during the 1967-1974 military dictatorship. He was briefly imprisoned by the junta, and his songs became anthems of resistance for youths and dissidents in Greece. T...

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis stressed on Tuesday the importance of disseminating accurate information amid regional crises, urging the public to rely on corroborated reporting by the media and on official government channels and statements. Speaking to reporters at the press centre at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis said Cyprus “neither participated nor participates nor will participate in any military operation”, adding that the Republic’s role was limited to its humanitarian mission. He said the President’s meeting with Greece’s defence minister followed what he described as an immediate response by the Greek government, for which Cyprus again expressed thanks, including to the Greek prime minister after a telephone call with the Cypriot president. Letymbio...

The annual New Year’s Day coffee in central Athens is usually a low-key but symbolically charged moment in Greek political life: a chance for senior political leaders to exchange views away from formal settings. This year’s gathering in Kolonaki, however, included an unexpected personal revelation from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.According to those present, Mitsotakis shared that his son, Konstantinos, has proposed marriage to his partner, Maria Sakkari, one of Greece’s most prominent professional tennis players. The wedding is planned for 2027.The prime minister spoke warmly about his future daughter-in-law, describing her as an exceptional young woman and saying he is very happy about the engagement. He also noted a personal coincidence: his son will be 28 at the time of the weddi...

Greek farmers plan to escalate nationwide protests with a 48-hour blockade of major roads and border customs points on Thursday and Friday, as the stalemate continues between the protesters and the Greek government, following a decision taken at a national assembly of agricultural unions in Malgara, northern Greece.Representatives of farmers’ roadblocks said traffic disruptions would target key transport corridors, including Malgara, Tempi, Siatista, Bralos, Tripoli, and the Rio–Antirrio bridge, while freight traffic will be halted at customs checkpoints along Greece’s borders.Representatives from over 50 protest groups attended the meeting. Today marked 35 days since tractors were first deployed at strategic points across Greece’s road network and border crossings.Farmers said the protest...

“Absolutely at your disposal” was the message delivered by Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias during his meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, as the region faces escalating turmoil and repeated drone strikes targeting British bases in Akrotiri.Dendias emphasized that he had come to convey the backing of the Greek Prime Minister, the government, and the entire Greek society to the people of Cyprus. He noted that these are challenging times for the wider region but stressed Greece’s unequivocal commitment to providing all possible assistance to Cyprus.The minister highlighted that this commitment carries both symbolic and practical weight, asserting that Greece will stand alongside the Cypriot people and all lawful residents of the Republic of Cyprus.“I will di...