Alekos Flabouraris

A package of measures benefiting low-income pensioners announced by PM Alexis Tsipras on Thursday were under no circumstances "pre-election" provisions State Minister Alekos Flabouraris told state radio ERT on Friday.

Authorities say 162 migrants and refugees have arrived on Greece's Aegean islands in the past 24 hours, raising the total number to 11,215.

Authorities say 38 arrivals were reported on Samos, 38 on Chios and 22 on Lesvos.

The number of individuals sheltered on Samos has increased by about 40 percent over the past 10 days, officials say.

Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas Tuesday inaugurated a new center for unaccompanied migrant minors in Paiania, east of Athens, saying the facility would host up to 100 children, while noting that hundreds of others remain in reception centers across the country.

The Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) warns the MPs who are members of the chamber and are going to vote for the social security bill that they will face penalties.

Among the members of TEE are Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and other MPs of SYRIZA, such as Alekos Flabouraris and Christos Spirtzis.

The new government sworn in today before the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos. Some swore on the bible and others took a civil oath.

The prospect of the Greek government canceling a hastily called referendum on creditors’ proposals has reportedly caused a firestorm of debate within the ruling SYRIZA party, and more importantly, within the Cabinet itself.

Greece will try to bring more to the table in negotiations for a debt deal and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will probably speak with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker by phone on Saturday to try to end the deadlock, a Greek minister said.

Talks with Greece over its debt will remain stalled until Athens comes up with "serious proposals" on budgetary reform, the head of the Eurogroup said on Friday.

The International Monetary Fund lifted the stakes in Greece’s stalled debt talks on Thursday by pulling its delegation out of negotiations in Brussels. The surprise move came as the EU warned Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to stop gambling with Greece’s future and make crucial but painful reforms (such as sacrificing pensions) that would avert a devastating default.

By Nikos Konstandaras