Politics

FILE - Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyanni, right, speaks during a news conference as Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou, center, and Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki listen in Athens, Greece, Feb. 18, 2003. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File) ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Vasso Papandreou, a trailblazing Greek politician who served as a government minister, European commissioner and leading advocate for women’s representation in politics, has died at her home in an Athens suburb. She was 79. No cause of death was given, but she had been in poor health for several years. Her funeral was held Saturday outside Aegio, near the town of her birth in southern Greece, and was attended by former Socialist prime minister Costas Simitis and other veteran politicians. Politicians across party...

The Greek government appears hesitant and cautious in commenting on the EU-US trade deal on tariffs reached between Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, speaking in the parliament, outlined the government's thoughts on this burning issue. He noted that it puts an end to months of uncertainty following Trump's election and the "back and forth" with the tariffs, and that is a positive thing. He stressed, however, that the government is studying the agreement to see how it can better manage the problems that will arise in areas of Greece's commercial interest. "The agreement puts an end to mont...

Religion is never far from the surface in politics, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, and now a dispute over a key monastery may jeopardize key political agreements in the area. Much of the Christian world, especially Eastern Orthodoxy, erupted over reports that, pursuant to a May 28 court decision, the Egyptian government was going to annex the historic St. Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople along with the Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Alexandria, the Churches of Greece and Cyprus, and the Greek Union of Theologians all voiced apprehension. The following week, a Greek Government delegation (St. Catherine’s is Greek Orthodox) traveled to Egypt and there were talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi an...

Athens is weighing whether to join a proposed Peace Council promoted by US President Donald Trump, with the Greek government leaning against participation as it consults closely with EU partners. Trump has invited around 60 countries, including Cyprus and Australia, to sign on to the initiative, originally framed as a mechanism to maintain peace in Gaza, but Greek officials are concerned the proposal goes beyond UN Security Council Resolution 2803, expanding its scope beyond Gaza and lacking a defined timeframe. Athens is examining the plan from political and legal perspectives, also factoring in Greece’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Within the EU, Germany and France are inclined to reject the invitation, while Hungary and Albania have signalled they...

Greece unveils a €300 million relief plan for April and May as the Middle East fuel crisis pushes up costs, with support targeting diesel, gasoline. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 Greece has announced a €300 million ($345 million) relief plan in an attempt to shield households and businesses from the economic pressures triggered by the fuel crisis linked to Middle East tensions. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented the package as an immediate national response while Athens continues to push for a broader European strategy. The measures will cover April and May and, according to the government, will benefit almost the entire population. Mitsotakis said Greece remains at the forefront of efforts to shape a unified European response but stressed that the government will also m...

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to speed up reforms following his landslide victory Sunday in the country's second election in five weeks that granted him a comfortable parliamentary majority to form a government for a second four-year term. Jubilant supporters gathered outside party headquarters in Athens, cheering, clapping, setting off fireworks and waving blue and white party flags. Near complete results show his party has won just over 40.5 percent of the vote, crushing his main rival, the left-wing Syriza party, which was struggling to reach 18 percent, 2 percentage points lower than the last elections in May. "With today's electoral result, Greece opens a new, historic chapter in its course," Mitsotakis said in a telev...

The Greek elections held on June 25th witnessed a significant negative turnout, with voter participation reaching its lowest level since the restoration of democracy in 1974, providing a notable decline in civic engagement. However, amidst this context, notable political developments emerged, bringing forth a new government for Greece, led by incumbent party New Democracy (ND), the formation of a somewhat liberal-minded cabinet, the rise of far-right parties, and the undeniable decline of the main opposition party, SYRIZA. New Government Eight elected parties now make up the new Greek Parliament. With 40.55% of the vote and 158 seats, the New Democracy (ND) party won the election, ensuring Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis another term. “New ...

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has strongly criticised Greece’s recent military deployment linked to Cyprus, accusing the government of misleading the public and raising broader concerns about Europe’s stance on ongoing conflicts. In a pointed statement, Varoufakis said Greece is in a “difficult position,” arguing that the government’s decision to send four F-16 fighter jets and a frigate was presented as a move to safeguard Cyprus, but serves other strategic interests. “Greece has become a satellite of Israel. We have lost our independence.” He claimed the deployment effectively supports the presence of British military bases on the island, suggesting these facilities are being used by the United States for operations connected to conflicts in Gaza and Iran. ...

Greek Australians have featured prominently in The Advertiser’s 2026 readers’ Power 1000 list, highlighting their influence across business, politics and global industries. Dimi Kyriazis and Steve KosmidisThe Golden North owners are leading a new chapter for the iconic brand, with plans to expand production and relocate operations to Murray Bridge while exploring new dairy ventures. Chris KourakisThe former Chief Justice leaves behind a lasting legacy in South Australia’s legal system after more than four decades in law and leadership at the state’s highest court. Kayla ItsinesThe Sweat co-founder has built a global fitness empire, reaching millions worldwide through digital programs and major international partnerships. Theo and Steve MarasKey figures in Adelaide’s pro...

The British Museum has been accused of “provocative indifference” and “covering Greek culture in the shade of Barbie” by officials in Greece after it hosted a star-studded fundraising gala that included guests seated near the Parthenon marbles.Days after Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Alexa Chung, Miuccia Prada, Manolo Blahnik, Kristin Scott Thomas and dozens of other celebrities and billionaires paid £2,000 each to attend the museum’s inaugural pink ball, Greek officials were still incandescent over an event described as offensive by the country’s cultural minister.Lina Mendoni said the museum was guilty of “provocative indifference” to treasures that embodied the high point of classical western art. Images of tables laden with trappings of a lavish meal steps away from the antiquities also...