Greek government-debt crisis

Members of leftist SYRIZA's parliamentary group leave the port of Piraeus for the island of Spetses on Friday, where they will take part in a two-day "exchange of views" with the main objective being for the opposition party to sail in "calm waters" after the recent infighting, and to forge a way forward. The meetings will take place at the island home of SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis.

It is very likely that the extension of Kymis Avenue in northern Athens, the extension of the Western Ring Road of Ymittos toward Elliniko, and other projects that were planned but have not yet started will be shelved by the Ministry of Infrastructure.

SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis has called on his MPs to formulate a "National Plan for the Greek Dream" as the party gathered on the island of Spetses for a three-day retreat. 

It is understood that the main opposition leader opened proceedings by telling his MPs that the meeting would be a productive and creative discussion and exchange of viewpoints among equals.

SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis has refuted a report alleging that he requested the removal of posters featuring Alexis Tsipras, a former prime minister and his predecessor as the head of the party, from the walls of the main opposition headquarters in Koumoundourou Square.

Greece's return to investment grade in 2023 signals a return to normalcy and marks the start of a new effort to raise the prosperity level of the Greek people, Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras said on Monday at a bank event.

Road and railroad connections were the focus of bilateral contacts between Infastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras and his Bulgarian officials during a visit to Sofia on Monday.

The dispute between the government and Antonis Samaras, a former PM, continued on Monday, with government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis essentially accusing him of inconsistency in words and deeds.

The European Central Bank's Supervisory Board (SSM) Chair Claudia Buch acknowledged the progress made by the Greek banking sector during her two-day visit along with Single Resolution Board Chair Dominique Laboureix to Athens.

The bill on same-sex marriage has plunged ruling New Democracy and leftist opposition SYRIZA into turmoil.

Indicatively, ND lawmaker Antonis Samaras, a former conservative prime minister, said he opposed the choice of Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis to suggest the solution of abstention to dissenting MPs. 

Greece's main opposition welcomed on Friday the appointment of the new chiefs of Armed Forces staff, saying the party "stands by them".