Latest News from Greece

Merkel seeks to head off party revolt against Greek compromise

By Rainer Buergin, Birgit Jennen & Arne Delfs

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is trying to head off a potential revolt from as much as a third of her bloc's lawmakers as she tries to up line support for a compromise deal with Greece, party officials said.

Greece at Eurovision semi-finals on Tuesday (Watch live with us)

The Greek Eurovision team is in Austria about to draw “One Last Breath” with its entry for Greece. There will be a direct link from the Stadthalle in Vienna so that Greek audiences can enjoy Maria Elena Kyriakou at the semi-finals of the 60th Eurovision Song Contest at 11 p.m. on Tuesday with hopes that she’ll make her way to the finals on Saturday.

“Legalize it!” say organizers of 1st Cannabis Festival (photos)

The 1st Cannabis Festival aimed at legalizing cannabis use in Greece was rendered a success on May 9. An international conference is being organized under the aegis of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government. Greek pro-cannabis activists point that legalization of the drug would only benefit the national economy, lining state coffers.

Labor minister sees deal within coming days

Greece's labor minister said on Tuesday Athens would soon conclude a deal with its foreign creditors that could unlock further loans to the cash-starved country.

Greece's new government has been in talks with its European Union and International Monetary Fund lenders over the past four months about the release of around 7.2 billion euros ($8.1 billion) in aid.

Greek leaders say deal is within reach amid creditor doubts

By Nikos Chrysoloras

Greek leaders expressed optimism a deal to unlock bailout funds is within reach, in the face of continuing warnings by creditors that the country has yet to comply with the terms of its emergency loans.

Varoufakis says bailout deal is very close

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said Monday that he expects an agreement with bailout creditors within the next week, which would save the cash-strapped country from fast-approaching bankruptcy.

"I think we are very close," Varoufakis said. "Let's say (it's a matter) of about a week."

Bulgaria's Ex Deputy PM Djankov to Advise Greek Govt on Fight against Corruption

Former Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is among the key lecturers at the Emergency Economic Summit for Greece scheduled to take place on May 19 in Athens.

The summit is organized by the US-based NGO the Atlas Network, the Cato Institute, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

Church hands out blessed pens for guaranteed Panhellenic exam success!

Panhellenic university entrance exams began in Greece for dozens of thousands of final-year students on Monday but only a handful have the holy seal of approval. Students at Komotini flooded to the Metropolitan Church of Maronia for pens blessed in a special service. The pens are engraved with the message, “God is With You.”

Every day without a deal costs 22.3 mln

 ESEE counts daily toll of government failure to agree with its creditors at 59 shops closing and 613 jobs lost

By Dimitra Manifava

Talk on pension reform due in fall, officials say

Government officials indicated on Monday that the thorny issue of pension reform, one of Greece?s key ?red lines? in negotiations with creditors, would be put off until the fall after a series of statements by prominent SYRIZA officials suggested the government had backed down on pre-election pledges to protect pensions.

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