European Parliament

The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved the 2015 budget of the European Union (EU) on Wednesday.

Panos Kammenos, leader of the anti-bailout Independent Greeks party, on Thursday said he maintained his firm position of not voting in favor of Stavros Dimas, the coalition government's choice for president in the next two rounds of voting coming up on December 23 and 29.

The European Parliament overwhelmingly backed the recognition of a Palestinian state "in principle" on Dec. 17, following a series of votes on the issue in EU nations that have enraged Israel.
     

Turkey moving in wrong direction - EP official

VIENNA -- European parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee chair Elmar Brok has said that Turkey is "increasingly moving away from Europe."

The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) failed on Tuesday to agree on a joint motion calling on EU member states to recognise the state of Palestine.

...

SYRIZA MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis has called on European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to explain himself over comments favouring the current government, accusing the former Luxembourg prime minister of “political intervention” in Greece.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is set to get personally involved in the process of trying to convince independent and opposition MPs to elect Stavros Dimas as president, Kathimerini understands.

An Athens court on Friday postponed the trial of Golden Dawn’s Ilias Kasidiaris over charges of attempted grievous bodily harm to March 1st, 2016. The postponement was due to action called by lawyers.

The case centered on charges brought against Kasidiaris by Greek Communist Party (KKE) MP Liana Kanelli, following a televised brawl on June 2012.

Democratic Left (DIMAR) on Tuesday said that it will not be backing the coalition government's candidate for president in three Parliamentary votes expected to start next week.

The party, which split from the coalition last year, said in an announcement that it will not contribute to "the protraction of the political deadlocks being pursued by the present government."

A decision on Monday by Greece's coalition government to move forward the election for a new president constitutes a "significant popular and democratic victory," opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras said on Tuesday.