In bid to shift focus from toxic Prespes debate, Tsipras pledges social measures

In a bid to shift the climate following the politically toxic debate on the Prespes name deal, which was approved in Parliament last week, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Monday announced an increase to the minimum wage, declaring that it heralded the gradual rolling back of austerity that his leftist-led government has long promised.

During a cabinet meeting, Tsipras announced an 11 percent increase, to come into effect from February 1, boosting the minimum wage from 586 euros to 650 euros.

A so-called "subminimum wage" of 511 euros paid to young employees would be abolished, he added.

Describing the move as "of historic significance," Tsipras said it would directly benefit 600,000 people and indirectly another 280,000. He said the increase was one in a series of initiatives his government is planning following the country's formal exit from its international...