Tryfonas Alexiadis

Greece's parliament elected former Council of State head Katerina Sakellaropoulou as the country's next president on Wednesday, a largely ceremonial role that also brings with it limited political powers.

Greece's parliament elected former Council of State head Katerina Sakellaropoulou as the country's next president on Wednesday, a largely ceremonial role that also brings with it limited political powers.

SYRIZA MP Tryfonas Alexiadis, 60, was rushed to an Athens hospital on Tuesday after fainting during a meeting of his party's parliamentary group in a House chamber.

Alexiadis, who served as alternate finance minister in the SYRIZA government under Alexis Tsipras, was given first aid at the scene by lawmakers Pavlos Polakis and Yiannis Mouzalas, who are physicians.

Three years ago, fiery young Greek radical opposition lefty Alexis Tsipras climbed onto a tractor to give a speech to hundreds of cheering farmers. He vowed to crush harsh reforms leading to nowhere.

Greek and German authorities agreed Jan. 16 to step up their cooperation on tax evasion, with information supplied by Germany already being used to probe thousands of Greeks suspected of stashing money in Swiss accounts.

Financial Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Alt. Finance Minister Tryfonas Alexiadis are faced with making decisions on the new objective property values around the country. Sources state that the findings submitted forecast horizontal reductions from 10-20% for middle-class areas, and smaller reductions as well as increases in working class districts.

The Greek government’s negotiation with the country’s creditors (EC, ECB, ESM, IMF) dashed hopes for the exclusion of home loans from distress funds or for 100% of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) to the state instead of salary reductions in the public sector. Talks are continuing for the third day on Thursday with lowered expectations for Greece.

An increase to car excise duties is being examined by the Ministry of Finance. The new rules being considered will charge car duties according to mileage as well as a reduction (but not abolition) of the annual rate that car owners pay.

Alternate Finance Minister Tryfonas Alexiadis received an envelope containing a bullet and a threatening note on Monday. The letter arrived through the regular mail to his office, says the finance ministry’s announcement. The note was signed by a group called “Red Faction” and it includes threats against the life of the minister and his family.

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) is readying its new government following the party’s recent election triumph – for the second time this year after its first election win on January 25.