Greece's presidential election is headed to a second round after no candidate secured the required 200 votes in parliament. Konstantinos Tasoulas, nominated by the ruling New Democracy party, led the first round but fell short of victory. A second vote is scheduled for January 31.
Tag: PASOK
Nikitas Kaklamanis has been elected Speaker of the Greek Parliament with 247 votes, supported by MPs from New Democracy, PASOK, SYRIZA, and others. In his acceptance speech, Kaklamanis emphasised Parliament's role in fostering civic education and called for unity and ethical leadership to address Greece's challenges, urging MPs to rise above partisan divisions.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Wednesday for their regular monthly briefing, with expectations that he will announce his proposal for the next president of Greece, aiming for consensus within both the opposition PASOK party and his governing New Democracy party.
Greece's presidential election is shaping up with key contenders, including Kostas Tasoulas and Evangelos Venizelos, emerging as frontrunners. SYRIZA has proposed Louka Katseli as a progressive alternative, sparking debate across political lines. Public opinion favors bipartisan consensus, with 76% of citizens supporting a united approach to electing the nation's next President.
Nikos Androulakis, leader of PASOK-Movement for Change, ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition government with New Democracy (ND), outlining alternative options for Greece's future leadership. He also clarified that PASOK's position on the presidential election is that the President should represent the progressive space, while rejecting SYRIZA's proposal for a unified candidate, arguing it would benefit ND and Prime Minister Mitsotakis.
Greece held a state funeral for former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the architect of the nation's entry into the eurozone, who died at 88. Simitis served from 1996-2004 and oversaw significant modernization efforts, including securing the 2004 Athens Olympics and facilitating Cyprus's EU membership.
Athens bids farewell to former Prime Minister Costas Simitis with a funeral service at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral on Thursday, followed by his burial at the First Cemetery of Athens. Simitis, a key figure in Greece's Eurozone entry and PASOK leader, passed away at 88. Traffic restrictions are in place across central Athens, as tributes pour in from Greek and international leaders.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Epiphany celebrations at the Church of St. George in Phanar, Istanbul, which included a solemn Divine Liturgy and the traditional blessing of the waters in the Keratian Gulf. The event drew large crowds from Greece, Romania, Ukraine, and other Orthodox regions, with prominent attendees such as Nikos Androulakis and Akis Skertsos. Similar ceremonies were held in other parts of Istanbul, reflecting the enduring importance of this Orthodox tradition.
Greece has declared four days of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Simitis, who led the country from 1996 to 2004, is remembered for guiding Greece into the Eurozone and modernizing its political and economic landscape. Current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised Simitis as a "noble political opponent" and a "catalyst in public life." A state funeral will be held to honor his legacy.
Former Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has passed away at the age of 88. Simitis, a key figure in modern Greek politics, led the country through significant economic reforms and its entry into the Eurozone. He served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis faces growing public dissatisfaction as economic hardships persist despite progress in national financial indicators. A *Handelsblatt* report highlights that real incomes remain 23.7% lower than pre-crisis levels, with inflation, high energy costs, and stagnant wages fueling frustration. While New Democracy leads in polls, its shrinking margin and declining approval rates pose significant challenges to Mitsotakis' leadership.
Greek leaders, including President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, attended the New Year’s liturgy at Athens Metropolitan Church, led by Archbishop Ieronymos. The ceremony highlighted unity and tradition as the nation welcomed 2025.
In his New Year message, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed confidence in leaving behind past challenges and embracing a promising future. He emphasized the importance of unity and progress amidst geopolitical obstacles. PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis and SYRIZA President Socrates Famellos also shared messages focusing on social security, justice, and the resilience of democracy.
PASOK-Movement for Change leader Nikos Androulakis has pledged swift parliamentary action to address soaring health insurance premiums in Greece, blaming a 2020 government law for enabling unchecked increases. Highlighting the financial burden on hundreds of thousands of policyholders, Androulakis vowed to abolish the "unacceptable regime" and restore transparency in the sector.
The countdown has begun for Greece's presidential selection, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expected to announce his candidate by late January. As he weighs his options, including reappointing current President Katerina Sakellaropoulou or selecting a new centrist figure, political stakes are high. Notable contenders include Lucas Papademos and Yannis Stournaras, with the decision potentially reshaping Greece's political landscape.
The debate on Greece’s 2025 state budget begins today in Parliament, set to conclude with a vote on Sunday evening. This year’s discussions unfold in a changed political landscape, with PASOK returning as the second-largest party after over a decade. The government is promoting the budget as a plan to boost incomes through tax cuts and economic reforms, while opposition parties are expected to challenge key aspects, including defense spending. The debate also takes place amid ongoing crises in military hospitals and allegations of corruption in urban planning authorities.
The GPO poll for the radio station Parapolitika 90.1 records the primacy of the ruling…
Athens, Greece – Syriza, the left-wing party that once led Greece, has been overtaken by…
PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis has outlined his vision for Greece’s future as his party becomes the main opposition, replacing SYRIZA. Emphasizing transparency, political ethics, and a focus on policies that address citizens’ daily challenges, Androulakis declared that PASOK’s goal is to defeat New Democracy in the next elections and bring systemic change to the country.
Two MPs have officially broken away from SYRIZA, with their resignation letters submitted to the Greek Parliament on November 21. This move shifts the status of PASOK to the official opposition, surpassing SYRIZA in the number of MPs. As a result, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis gains additional privileges, including more speaking time in Parliament and access to the leader of the opposition’s office. Despite the change, neither party has enough MPs to propose major motions such as impeachment or committee inquiries.