All News on Social Issues in Greece

Germany against third aid program for Greece under any circumstances, says daily

The German government is against a third aid programme for Greece under any circumstances, even if there was an agreement between Athens and its international lenders on a cash-for-reforms deal, the German mass daily Bild reported on Thursday.

Ruling on pension cuts will cost state 1 to 1.5 bln euros

The government will have to find 1 to 1.5 billion euros to cover the cost of a Council of State decision published on Wednesday, which calls for pensioners in the private sector and at state-owned corporations (DEKOs) to have their retirement pay restored to 2012 levels.

New bill boosts rights for gay couples

A Justice Ministry bill that was put up for public consultation on Wednesday stipulates that same-sex couples entering cohabitation agreements should have the same rights as married couples but bars them from marriage and common adoption.

Parliamentary committee approves draft citizenship law

A new bill which would lead to some 100,000 second-generation immigrants being granted Greek citizenship was approved on Wednesday by a parliamentary committee ahead of a vote at the House?s plenary session expected next week.

The bill was backed by leftist SYRIZA, Potami, PASOK and Independent Greeks, despite objections by many in the ranks of the junior coalition partner.

EU urges refugee action as over 1,000 migrants reach Greece

The European Union urged its 28 nations Wednesday to swiftly endorse its plan to relocate 40,000 migrants as 1,000 more migrants arrived in Greece in just one day.

Bill to allow for civil unions for same-sex couples

Gay couples will have the right to enter into civil union partnerships, according to a bill prepared by the Justice Ministry that was made public on Wednesday.

Same-sex partners will not be allowed to adopt children jointly, but the draft legislation does recognize property and hereditary rights.

Migrants crossing Mediterranean exceed 100,000 this year

By Elena Becatoros & Nicole Winfield

More than 100,000 migrants - many fleeing the war in Syria - have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe so far this year, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday - and the arrivals in Greece have reached their highest level since the crisis began.

Greece delivers reform plan to EU, warns on cost of failure

Greece handed its creditors new proposals on unlocking funds to keep the country from default, with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras offering hope for a deal and warning the cost of failure would be enormous.

The reform proposals mark a further attempt by Tsipras to compromise with lenders as time runs out to reach a deal to prevent his country going bankrupt.

PM A. Tsipras: Grexit would be the beginning of the end for euro zone

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras spoke with Andrea Nicastro in an interview that appears in Italian daily Corriere Della Sera, titled “Agreement in Sight but No to Benefit Cuts”. Ahead of his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday he outlined his expectations.

Greek PM Tsipras says accord possible if pensions are not cut

Greece could reach a deal with its international creditors if they dropped demands including cuts to pensions, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera published on Tuesday.

Influx of migrants to islands up sixfold

The influx of undocumented immigrants into Greece from neighboring Turkey has increased dramatically, growing sixfold in the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2014, according to new figures released by the coast guard on Monday.