The priorities, and the secrets of Athos

Greece's political parties are embarking once again on the campaign trail, deploying a more surgical approach and with their attention turning to specific constituencies.

Ruling New Democracy is expected to focus on northern Greece, where nationalist Greek Solution and the religious-nationalist Niki parties have been flying high.

Tellingly, a block of monasteries in the remote community of Mount Athos, which had closed their doors to vaccinated pilgrims during the pandemic, are reportedly throwing in their lot with Niki.

It is also no coincidence that Niki leader Dimitris Natsios, a theologian and teacher, claimed on election day that it also had the "spiritual cover" of Mt Athos. Although the Holy Community has insisted it has nothing to do with this particular party, or any other, Niki has developed a network of contacts in the fundamentalist wing of the...