Right-wing politics

Ahead of a no-confidence debate starting in Parliament on Tuesday, independent lawmaker Aristides Fokas announced he is joining the ranks of the Independent Greeks (ANEL).

"We will join the fight with ANEL from now on," he told journalists outside Parliament, standing next to party leader Panos Kammenos.

Fokas was previously an MP with the Union of Centrists.

Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos dismissed Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Vassilis Kokkalis from ANEL's parliamentary group on Monday shortly after the latter confirmed that he would support the government in a vote of confidence this week.

The ejection of Kokkalis from ANEL's group followed that of Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

In comments to Skai television on Monday, the vice president of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) junior coalition partner, indicated that any ANEL ministers who retain their cabinet positions following the departure of ANEL leader Panos Kammenos "have received political trade-offs."

Greek Tourism Minister and Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Elena Kountoura said on Monday that she "unequivocally" supports the government ahead of a confidence vote this week, breaking with party leader Panos Kammenos who quit the coalition on Sunday.

Defense Minister Panos Kammenos admitted in a press conference following his resignation statement Sunday, that only two other Independent Greeks lawmakers will follow him in voting against the government and the FYROM name deal.
The 7-strong parliamentary group, which has propped up the government majority of 152 in the 300-member Parlaiment is split.

A much anticipated meeting of Greek coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) was postponed Wednesday.

The meeting was officially postponed due to a lengthy parliamentary session on a controversial amendment regarding offsets in a deal to upgrade the country's fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

Reports said ANEL deputies will instead meet on Thursday or Friday.

A contentious amendment including offsets in a deal to upgrade the Hellenic Air Force fleet of F-16 fighter jets will be debated at the Parliament's Military Procurements Committee following strong reaction from the conservative opposition on Wednesday.

"Let's talk about this, so that all queries can be solved," Defense Minister Panos Kammenos told the House.

Deputy Interior Minister Marina Chrysoveloni, a former MP and spokeswoman for the junior coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL), said on Monday that, if the Prespes name deal, which ANEL opposes, is beneficial for the country is beneficial it should be supported.

This handout picture released by the Brazilian presidency shows US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C) meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (L) at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on January 2, 2019. Photo by Marcos CORREA / Brazilian Presidency / AFP)

Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has used his inaugural speech to promise to build a "society without discrimination or division", reported BBC. 

The former army captain told Congress he wanted a "national pact" to free Brazil of corruption, crime and economic mismanagement.

In a swipe at the left, he vowed to free Brazil of "ideology".