European Parliament

According to a new poll conducted by the firm Marc for the private Alpha TV station, SYRIZA continues to enjoy a “honeymoon” with the electorate.

Nevertheless, a strong majority of respondents said they want Greece to remain in the euro, but at the same time called on the government not to back off in negotiations.

So much for the much ballyhooed "south Europe axis" and professed solidarity amongst bailed out eurozoners.
Spanish Prime Minister Marianno Rajoy caused a stir late on Thursday, at least amongst some Greek "twitterati", when he Tweeted a photograph of the EU Summit's "family portrait".

The new Greek government appears satisfied over negotiations so far in both Eurogroup and EU summit settings, or at least that is the press “spin” emanating from the ubiquitous “government sources”.

By Nikos Konstandaras

The wave of popularity that the government has been riding since its election reveals people?s need for hope. SYRIZA was elected on the promise that it would release the Greeks from the troubles of the past few years, concentrating on its opposition to the memorandum and its hostility toward the creditors? troika.

A snap election and the absence of international inspectors apparently led to the collapse of Greece’s tax revenues in January 2015, sounding warning bells for the new radical leftist SYRIZA government at the most inopportune time.

By Lefteris Papadimas

Greece's tax revenues slumped 23 percent below target in January as citizens held off on paying taxes before a snap election, marking a setback for the new left-wing government as it seeks a deal with European partners to avert a financial crisis.

Greece's prime minister sounded a conciliatory tone ahead of his first summit with European leaders Thursday, hours after the country's talks with eurozone creditors on overhauling its bailout loans broke down.

The UK daily Independent this week showcased a classic "growth-vs-environment" dilemma that the new Greek government will face head-on in dealing with the controversial Skouries gold mine investment in northern Greece,

China's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it had no knowledge of any offer by Beijing for aid to Greece after Greece's deputy foreign minister said China had offered economic support even though Athens had not requested it.

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras won the confidence vote in Greek parliament on Tuesday. He is to form a government consisting of his left-wing party SYRIZA and coalition partner, the righ-wing conservatives from ANEL.