Latest News from Greece

ND leadership candidate A. Tzitzikostas votes: “We are turning a page at ND!”

Conservative main opposition New Democracy (ND) candidate Apostolos Tzitzikostas headed to the voting center at I. Vellidis conference hall of the Thessaloniki International Fair shortly before 9 a.m. on Sunday to vote in the party elections where he is one of four candidates vying for the leadership.

Born to lead ND: all you need to know about 4 musketeers of the conservative party (pics)

Finally the time has arrived for the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party to choose its leader after all the pressure of failed national elections, the fiasco of a failed local election and a time of introspection as different party factions pull the party in all directions. Haven’t voted yet? Here’s a profile of the four candidates.

ND leadership countdown: voting centers have opened

The voting centers for the conservative main opposition New Democracy (ND) party opened at 7 a.m. on Sunday and will close at 7 p.m. before election results are announced after 11 p.m. The electoral process for the selection of a new leader is as it was on Sunday, November 22, when technical problems postponed the procedure.

Eighteen Refugees Drown as Boat Sinks off Turkey

Eighteen people drowned as the boat carrying them sank in the Aegean Sea off the Turkey's southwestern coast late on Friday.

The wooden vessel, which was packed with refugees, including citizens of Syria and Iraq, was attempting to reach the Greek island of Kos when it sank in Bodrum bay.

ESM Chief K. Regling says Grexit still on the table

European Stability Mechanism Chief Klaus Regling told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that he cannot guarantee that the prevention of a Grexit from the eurozone. The Grexit-obsessed officials who has made similar comments in the past, admitted that at the moment Grexit is not under discussion because Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is doing his job.

Greece’s health system throws spanner in the works for 1-bn-euro bailout tranche

The Greek Social Health Insurance Fund (EOPPY) is under pressure to change costs of medical exams or else there is a threat that Greece will not receive its 1-bn-euro bailout fund even though lawmakers voted through the set of 13 prior actions called for by the country’s lenders.

Refugee boat sinks off Turkey's Aegean coast, 18 killed

Eighteen people have drowned off the southwestern coast of Turkey when a vessel carrying refugees sank late on Dec. 18, according to the Turkish Coast Guard. 

The wooden boat - packed with refugees, including Syrians and Iraqis - was seeking to reach the Greek island of Kos when it sank in Bodrum Bay.

ND elections held under the shadow of K. Karamanlis

Pathogenic problems in the main opposition conservative New Democracy (ND) party of Greece came to the fore just days ahead for the marathon leadership race that ends on Sunday.

#ThisIsACoup recounts the rise and fall of Greece’s dreams (vids)

Journalist Paul Mason’s new documentary “This is a Coup” gives a telling look at the days leading to the July 5 referendum in Greece. Exclusive live coverage of behind-the-scenes developments in the Greek government show that the Greek bank holiday was not as surprising a development as it seemed at the time.

 

Open letter: Read Vangelis Meimarakis heartfelt plea to ND voters

Just two days prior to the New Democracy (ND) leadership elections, conservative main opposition leadership candidate Vangelis Meimarakis wrote an open letter to members and friends of the party.

He writes:

Greek men and women,

New Democracy men and women,

Why did Maria Rizou reject the chance to represent Greece at Eurovision 2016? (vid)

Greek public broadcaster ERT asked singer Maria Rizou to represent the country at the Eurovision song contest being held in Stockholm in 2016. It is rumored that her name was chosen after an internal panel at ERT decided that it had a non-commercial quality being sought for this year’s representation.

2015 Migrant, Refugee Arrivals in EU Close to One Million - IOM

A total of 990,671 migrants and refugees have entered Europe in 2015 from Africa and the Middle East by a combination of irregular land and sea routes, the International organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday.

Hooded assailants bombed Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki

The Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, was attacked in the early hours of Friday orning by 25 hooded assailants that hurled around 15 Molotov cocktails at the guard post.

The attack occurred at 3.20 a.m. outside the consulate’s premises on Agiou Dimitriou Street. No injuries had been reported. Damage was only superficial and to the building’s façade.

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