Greek government-debt crisis

The European Commission has placed Greece in the same group of countries as Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, but that is not good news. It is the group of nine eurozone countries in which the Commission's "Alert Mechanism" identified macroeconomic imbalances. In-depth assessments will follow on whether these imbalances have worsened or are being corrected.

A new nationwide survey by MRB, published on Wednesday by OPEN TV, showed the ruling New Democracy maintaining a double-digit lead over the socialist PASOK, which holds second place.

Two days after the budget was passed in parliament, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has invited New Democracy MPs who are not members of the government to the Maximo Mansion for a “relaxed wine” ahead of the holidays.

Behind-the-scenes ferment, meaningful appearances, and surprise set the scene for the Syriza Progressive Alliance’s stance towards the selection of the right person for the Presidency of the Republic, which is proving to be a political milestone if not a catalyst for broader developments.

PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis dismissed the possibility of any collaboration with SYRIZA in an interview with Kathimerini, saying that the leftist party's "strategy against New Democracy was defeated twice." Asked about the possible candidates that could replace President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in the March 2025 election, the head of the main opposition said that while he appreciates Christo

The debate on the budget in the House of Representatives turned out to be a foretaste of the new political period ushered in by the advent of 2025, with the Syriza Progressive Alliance emerging unscathed from the vote, but from the benches of what is now the third parliamentary power in the plenary chamber.

A strong vote of parliamentary confidence in an environment of extreme political volatility was given to the government as the state budget for 2025 received 159 positive votes, the most in five years.

The three main parties to the right of center-right New Democracy collectively represent around 20% of the Greek electorate, but continue to have relatively limited influence because of the deep ideological, political and personal divisions preventing them from joining forces.

Almost as time was running out, yesterday afternoon, the Syriza Progressive Alliance‘s stance on defence spending crystallized, with the budget debate culminating this evening.

The debate on the government budget enters its final stretch as the leaders are expected to clash today and a final roll call vote is expected.