Greek government-debt crisis

During another of the usual verbal battles in Parliament on Wednesday, between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and opposition leader Alexis Tsipras, the latter referred to a familiar anecdote about the newly elected premier who finds three letters from his predecessor on his desk.

Opposition SYRIZA chief Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday accused the center-right government of being "completely out of touch with reality" and failing to sufficiently address the economic impact of the health crisis.

"Even shame is ashamed," Tsipras said during debate on a Labor Ministry bill outlining support measures.

Main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras has tried to rally the MPs of his leftist party around his criticism of the government's handling of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras reiterated on Tuesday that the country's public debt remains sustainable until at least 2030, despite its increase as a ratio to the gross domestic product.

Piraeus Bank, one of Greece's four largest banks, on Monday reported a sharp drop in third-quarter profit compared with the previous quarter on the back of higher loan impairment provisions and weaker trading income.

All emergency tax reductions and the permanent tax breaks ratified before the onset of the pandemic will apply in 2021, with the cheap state loans program also running into next year, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras assured on Saturday.

I read the farewell letter that was published in Kathimerini by former Greek prime minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos following the recent death of his friend and colleague Giorgos Panagiotopoulos (both men served as presidents of the Council of State, the country's highest administrative court).

The Migration Ministry has opened an office offering travel documents to refugees to help them go to other European Union countries, Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis said on Tuesday, following the departure of hundreds of migrants from state facilities, many of whom have been camping out in city squares.

Leftist SYRIZA opposition is expected to change its name to SYRIZA Progressive Alliance as part of the party's efforts to diversify its political staff and expand its electoral catchment.
In a meeting of the party's political secretariat on Tuesday, it was decided that leader Alexis Tsipras will put forward the new name at the next political council.

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras has appointed Michalis Masourakis as Greece's new representative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to a ministry statement on Tuesday.
On September 1 Masourakis will succeed Michalis Psalidopoulos who leaves its post after five years and whom the government and the ministry thanked for his contribution and cooperation.