In Greece

At least 22 irregular migrants have been rescued in the Aegean Sea off Turkey's southwestern coast, said security sources on Aug. 4.

The word most frequently used by Greeks to describe their new government is "weird." That is not meant pejoratively. Instead, it describes the unusual speed and specificity with which Kyriakos Mitsotakis has taken to the job of prime minister. What people mean is: "This is really weird for Greece."

Just over 50 percent of respondents were positive or "probably positive" about the outcome of the 7 July general election that swept New Democracy to power while 46 percent were negative or "probably negative" according to a Kappa Research poll conducted between 9-11 July

It will take a couple of months before we see what kind of style SYRIZA plans to adopt in its reprised role as the country's main opposition party. For the time being at least, it appears willing to cut some slack to the new government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

Leader of New Democracy conservative party and winner of Greek general election Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos during a swearing-in ceremony as prime minister at the Presidential Palace in Athens, Monday. [Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters]    

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis to congratulate him on his victory in general elections on Sunday, an official of Mitsotakis party said.
The handover would take place on Monday, after Mitsotakis' swearing in as new Prime Minister, the official said. [Reuters]

Greeks began voting for a new government on Sunday, after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called for a snap poll following a big defeat at the European and local elections in June.

Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed confidence that he will emerge victorious in Sunday's general elections, saying Greeks have the country's fate in their hands.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on July 5 warned that the country risks a return to the "dark days" of austerity if his party loses a snap election on July 7.

Greek voters appear set to defy a surge of support populist parties across Europe in a general election Sunday, with the pro-EU center-right opposition firmly in the lead.