Radical Left Coalition
Greek govt hurls tax changes until Eurogroup meeting on Mon.
The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government is raining taxes until the Eurogroup meeting on November 9 in a last-ditch effort to close all open fronts. New measures will be discussed and – hopefully – be approved during a teleconference call with the Euro Working Group on Friday, November 6.
Greek army officers can now sew patron saints onto uniforms
Greek daily newspaper To Vima reported on Wednesday that new regulations will allow military personnel of Greece to sew on icons of military patron saints onto their uniforms if they so wish.
Greek opposition parties call on the govt to revoke defence deal to upgrade aging aircraft
Proto Thema’s exclusive concerning the government’s secret deal with the United States to upgrade aging aircraft by Lockheed Martin set off a firestorm of controversy in Greek Parliament after it was revealed that 40 million dollars had been secretly deposited into an account to activate the contract.
Flambouraris takes the moral high ground in response to corruption reports
Scandal-hit State Minister Alekos Flambouraris spoke of “mud-raking” in response to criticism concerning foul play in a barrage of revelations by the media concerning a conflict of interest in his role as MP and key shareholder of a private construction company – Diatmisi S.A. – he failed to declare in his assets statement to Greek parliament.
Lawmakers vote in favor of draft bill for bank recapitalization
The bill on the recapitalization of Greek banks was voted in Greek Parliament through fast-track procedures on Saturday. The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government, its junior coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL), and opposition parties put aside their partison differences and agreed on the need to secure bank deposits.
ND calls on Greek PM to investigate media reports citing Flambouraris’ foul play
The Main opposition conservative New Democracy party called on Greece’s Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday to explain a report in Greek daily Ta Nea that claims the Municipality of Aegina wrote off a 4,000-euro debt belonging to State Minister Alekos Flambouraris – who owns a holiday home on the island – towards the water utility company.
Govt plays “eenie meenie miney mo” between 23% VAT hike to private schools or car excise duties
The government is under asphyxiating pressure to submit a new draft bill to Greek Parliament on Thursday if it hopes to receive the 2-billion-euro tranche benchmarked for Greece. Non-performing (so-called “red”) loans and VAT hikes in private education are the two thorny issues that are currently on the table.
Anarchists hang banners on ANEL headquarters rooftops (pics)
Fifteen anarchist members of the group, “Rubicon”, entered the headquarters of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) party that is a junior coalition partner with the government. They hung two banners with anti-austerity slogans from the rooftop, police said on Monday.
Greek Parliament’s audit committee chooses not to flambé Flambouraris for fraud!
Greek Parliament’s auditors have been left “exposed” yet again following Sunday’s statements by the head of MPs’ auditors committee, George Varemenos, who stated that he would give State Minister Alekos Flambouraris a chance to redeem himself following his erroneous declaration of assets in April 2015. Rather than be punished for failure to declare his majority shareholding in Diatmisi S.A.
Greek MPs vote for media overhaul through radio and TV licence reform
Lawmakers on Saturday approved a bill to regulate the awarding of TV licences to broadcasters late on Saturday. The move is part of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s efforts to regulate a sector that is plagued by debt and corruption. The new law means that television stations would have to bid for 10-year licenses in state tenders.