George Papandreou

Former culture and tourism official Angela Gerekou has been appointed to head the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Minister Haris Theoharis announced on Thursday.

Her "experience and knowledge on tourism-related issues will contribute to shaping a modern GNTO, adapted to current conditions," Theoharis said.

It used to be possible to predict the outcome of an election with some certainty. The key lay in guessing which way the middle-ground voters would swing; those who had voted for PASOK's Costas Simitis and then New Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, those who had voted for Karamanlis and then George Papandreou, and thought of themselves as "homeless" centrists.

In a bombshell move, centre-left Movement for Change (mainly Pasok) leader Fofi Genninata has shown ex-Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos the door after her decision today to give former Athens Mayor Yorgos Kaminis the top spot on the party's statewide ticket after months of rumours that Venizelos would be offered the slot.

As elections approach it is apparent that despite so many years of economic crisis, sacrifices, and traumatic experiences nothing has changed.

With PM Alexis Tsipras donning the cloak of protector of the poor and punisher of the elite, promises, handouts, and divisive tactics are the order of the day.

Crucial elections are taking place on Tuesday in Israel, presenting a real threat for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power. The Blue and White alliance of centrist opposition parties has been performing very well in public opinion polls and appears to be on a par with the governing right-wing Likud.

Former socialist prime minister George Papandreou has brushed off speculation that he intends to join a SYRIZA-led alliance ahead of elections later this year.

In a statement Tuesday, Papandreou dismissed the speculation saying it was part of "political machinations…  aimed at serving self-interested objectives."

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his aides reportedly remain focused on creating a "progressive front" of the center-left despite reactions from within SYRIZA and accusations by the Movement for Change (KINAL) that the ruling leftist party is trying to tap into its base.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras carried out a light reshuffle on Friday, as had been long expected, promoting Giorgos Katrougalos to foreign minister and bringing in officials who had served under former socialist premier George Papandreou as deputy ministers, amid mounting speculation of likely snap polls in May. 

Greece's main opposition party, which is polled to win the next general election, has doused speculation that it plans to propose former socialist prime minister Costas Simitis or ex PASOK chief Evangelos Venizelos as President of Greece.

Speaking on Skai radio on Thursday, New Democracy spokesperson Maria Spyraki said both scenarios were "out of the question."
 

Tuesday, February 5 marked the centenary of the birth of Andreas Papandreou, Greece's first socialist prime minister and an extraordinary figure of 20th century European politics. Whether in or out of office, Papandreou dominated Greek political life for a generation.