Politics

Turkey’s foreign minister has accused Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias of adopting hawkish policies that trip up any efforts from Athens to improve relations with Ankara. Hakan Fidan made the comments in an interview ahead of Wednesday’s scheduled meeting in Ankara between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Fidan told Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper that he “sincerely believes” both Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis “have the intention and the ability” to overcome disputes between the two regional rivals. Asked by the interviewer about Dendias – whom Turkish officials have repeatedly accused of preventing rapprochement – Fidan said: “There is him, there is the audience he appeals to, there are other people apart from him, so thi...

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“I feel ashamed that a European prosecutor would come and say that our constitution protects ministers from accountability. This constitutional provision is abused by politicians even in cases of felonies, such as Tempi,” Karystianou said. The victims’ association has organized protests in Greece and beyond, as well as concerts and other events to keep the case in the public eye. Karystianou and other relatives of those who died in the crash have received hundreds of messages from Greeks encouraging the creation of a new political movement. Her phone also buzzes constantly with calls from MPs and political officials pledging to sign up if she does start a party. “A huge lack of trust in the ruling party and the opposition parties has created a demand in society for unconventional po...

The Greek government is introducing a sweeping Immigration Bill aimed at closing loopholes, reducing incentives for irregular migration, and tightening enforcement, as arrivals to the country fell by 21% compared to last year. The Ministry of Migration and Asylum, under Minister Thanos Plevris, said the bill responds to continued pressure on key entry points such as Crete, which received between 4,000 and 4,500 irregular migrants in December alone. The proposed legislation ends special privileges for unaccompanied 17-year-olds, introduces deportation in place of imprisonment for minor offences, and imposes significantly harsher penalties on NGOs involved in migrant smuggling. Government officials said the timing of the bill is deliberate. In December, Crete again faced a surge in arrivals ...

Greece has slipped to 48th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project’s (WJP) 2025 Rule of Law Index, placing it 29th among 31 European nations – ahead only of Bulgaria and Hungary. The report, released in Washington, highlights a deepening global crisis in democratic accountability, with Greece showing clear signs of institutional erosion. This year’s findings confirm an accelerating worldwide “recession in the rule of law,” with 68% of countries recording declines – the highest rate since the index began in 2009. WJP experts describe a “systemic crisis of democratic accountability” affecting both developed and developing nations. For Greece, the report signals a shrinking public space. Key indicators for freedom of expression, assembly, and civic participation have worsened, align...

Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis expressed clear and unequivocal support for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, commenting on the latest attack launched by Russian state agencies against the Primate of Orthodoxy. Speaking during today’s briefing of political editors, Marinakis described support for the Ecumenical Patriarch as “a sacred duty of all Orthodox Christians,” stressing that Patriarch Bartholomew is “a person who, beyond the credentials he has demonstrated as the leader of our Church, has consistently taught faith and humanitarian values.” The statement comes in response to an announcement issued on January 12, 2026, by Russian intelligence services, which alleged that the Ecumenical Patriarch is “attempting to sow division within the Russian Orthodox world by finding...

The  Greek Parliament on Thursday rejected opposition appeals claiming unconstitutionality of a government amendment concerning the protection of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Greece’s most significant national monument. Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis defended the measure, saying it aimed to uphold the dignity of a “supreme national symbol” that transcends political divisions. “The government’s institutional approach to the issue does not view the people as Right, Centre, or Left,” Floridis said, calling on parties to show unity “in these turbulent times of increased national risk.” The minister said the initiative sought to “restore institutional self-evidence,” stressing that the monument embodies the memory of the nation. “It is the place where our nation honors its struggles,” Fl...

Greece’s conservative government has ignited a political storm after proposing a ban on protests at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one of the nation’s most symbolic landmarks. Opposition parties have condemned the move, accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of authoritarianism and attempting to stifle dissent. The amendment—introduced in Parliament on Tuesday—seeks to prohibit demonstrations and any physical alterations to the area surrounding the monument, which stands directly outside the Hellenic Parliament. Under the proposal, violators could face fines or imprisonment of up to one year. Four opposition parties, including Syriza, immediately challenged the amendment, arguing it violates Greece’s constitutional rights to free expression and assembly. Syriza also called...

Sydney made global history on Monday, February 9, becoming the first city in the world to officially celebrate World Greek Language Day, following UNESCO’s formal recognition of the day late last year. Held at the University of Sydney, the landmark event brought together diplomats, politicians, academics, educators, students and community leaders for an evening that honoured a language repeatedly described as foundational to civilisation itself. The landmark event brought together diplomats, politicians, academics, educators, students and community leaders. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos. Opening the night, emcee Tom Skolarikis set the tone with warmth, humour and reflection, telling the audience: “This evening, we in this room will in fact be the first to ...

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to meet a delegation of livestock farmers at the prime minister’s office on Tuesday to discuss the future of the agricultural sector, government sources said. The talks will focus on long-term support, restructuring, and sustainability for livestock farming in Greece.According to government officials, the meeting was scheduled following an earlier round of talks with farmers during a period of nationwide agricultural protests. The new meeting, however, has drawn criticism from some sector representatives who say not all groups have been included. Members of a nationwide farmers’ committee involved in past mobilizations have voiced dissatisfaction, claiming the government is unwilling to engage with them.Government sources said the discussion ...