Elena Kountoura

It was to be expected that the electoral trouncing of SYRIZA would revive the party's old habit of backstabbing between comrades.

Things which certain cadres were whispering behind closed doors are now being said publicly.

Alexis Tsipras has appointed the President of the Democratic Left (DIMAR) party, Thanasis Theoharopoulos, as the new minister for tourism following the resignation on Friday of Elena Kountoura, who will be running for a seat in European Parliament later this month on the SYRIZA ticket.

Elena Kountoura has submitted her resignation as Greece's tourism minister as she plans to run as a candidate in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.
In a letter to Alexis Tsipras on Friday, Kountoura thanked the Greek prime minister for entrusting her with the tourism portfolio.

Six Greek independent lawmakers who backed the government in a confidence vote on January 16 told Parliament President Nikos Voutsis they will approve any future legislation submitted by ruling SYRIZA, thus ensuring its majority in Parliament.

In the wake of the departure from the government of junior coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) earlier this month, leftist SYRIZA is already struggling to push legislation through Parliament.

Deputy Citizens' Protection Minister Katerina Papacosta indicated on Thursday that she will vote in favor of the Prespes accord in Parliament tonight, adding to the number of MPs who have expressed their support for the deal.

Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos dismissed Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Vassilis Kokkalis from ANEL's parliamentary group on Monday shortly after the latter confirmed that he would support the government in a vote of confidence this week.

The ejection of Kokkalis from ANEL's group followed that of Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Vassilis Kokkalis confirmed on Monday that he would support the government in a vote of confidence this week.

Kokkalis, who is on an on official visit to China, thanked Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader for their cooperation, noting that "each of us has our own political course and is judged by society on the basis of that."

Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos on Monday ejected Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura from his group of MPs in a post on Twitter, declaring that she "exchanged her vote and the Macedonia name for a ministerial seat."

In comments to Skai television on Monday, the vice president of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) junior coalition partner, indicated that any ANEL ministers who retain their cabinet positions following the departure of ANEL leader Panos Kammenos "have received political trade-offs."