Niki

Leftist party SYRIZA seems to be winning the battle for second place from socialist PASOK while ruling conservatives New Democracy maintain a steady lead, according to an opinion poll for Action 24 TV ahead of European elections in June.

Recent opinion polls all point toward certain conclusions.

Renowned taekwondo champion Yordan Kolev, celebrated for his numerous accolades representing Bulgaria on the international stage, is now facing a personal challenge as he rallies support for his brother, Niki, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

The prosecution of 11 MPs of the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party for voter fraud on Thursday may radically change the composition of Parliament. 

As the EU election rapidly approaches, several pollsters indicate a notable surge in support for Greek Solution, with Kyriakos Velopoulos attracting voters from both Niki and Spartiates. 

Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said on Wednesday that lawmakers had dismissed the five objections submitted by opposition MP questioning the constitutionality of a bill allowing the establishment of private universities.

The minister said the objections were refuted by the parliament's Scientific Service.

A draft legislation by the ruling Conservatives that would enable the establishment of private universities in Greece received five objections regarding its constitutionality as soon as it was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.

The ruling New Democracy party maintains a sizable lead over PASOK and SYRIZA, according to a new opinion poll.

Estimated vote intention - after eliminating blank and invalid votes and declared no-shows - gives center-right New Democracy 36.5% of the vote, ahead of socialist PASOK (14.9%), left-wing SYRIZA (13.%), the Communist Party (8.7%) and far-right Greek Solution (8.0%).

Greece's 300-member Parliament approved the bill granting same-sex couples equal rights in marriage in a roll call vote on Thursday night. The reform extends full parental rights to gay couples but will not allow for medically assisted reproduction through a surrogate.

The bill was voted on by 254 lawmakers, with 176 voting in favor and 76 against.

The government's plans to legislate for marriage equality "circumvents fundamental principles of human existence," the 20 monasteries that make up the monastic community of Mount Athos have announced.