Akis Skertsos

The election risk is perhaps the greatest challenge for the course of Greek economy, fiscal stability and the conquest of investment grade, in a year when international uncertainties are running high.

On the one hand, a recount of what has so far been achieved and the planning of the next steps. On the other hand, pre-election planning - the goals ahead of the polls, the rhetoric, and the New Democracy stratgey overall.

To the question, where is the pandemic today, the Minister of State Akis Skertsos answers in a post on Facebook: "From 15/8 to last week there was a drop of 43% in the cases of COVID-19 in the territory. From about 22,200 per week they were reduced to 12,800 cases.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired a meeting on Wednesday on the close cooperation required between the ministries of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Environment and Energy and National Defence with respect to actions for the restoration of fire-stricken areas - especially flood protection - and the timely preparation of the 2022 firefighting period.

The office of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle this morning in the aftermath of deadly nationwide wildfires.

Mitsotakis has upgraded minister Akis Skertsos to the post of Statewide Minister, co-equal to the current State Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis.

The Greek Health Ministry and the Civil Protection bureau issued a COVID-19 orange alert (moderate risk) today after the appearance and expected spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, which was isolated in India, especially on the island of Crete, which has the most confirmed cases.

A debate has started in recent days regarding how coronavirus vaccinations are being prioritized, with some members of the opposition accusing the government of putting 60-64-year-olds above groups of people with medical conditions that may make them more vulnerable to Covid-19.

By George Gilson

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the chief executive officer of Canadian miner Eldorado Gold, George Burns, his Athens said on Friday.

According to the announcement, the prime minister reiterated the government's support for the company's investment plans in Greece on the condition that it respects environmental regulations and generates jobs.

A long-delayed clear-up of burned branches and dead wood left behind by last year's catastrophic wildfires in Mati, eastern Attica finally began on Friday. 

Units from Greek contractors GEK Terna, Ellaktor, Metka and Avax dispatched trucks to haul away the wood from a plot of land next to Marathonas Avenue, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos announced on Friday.