Panos Kammenos

Defense Minister Panos Kammenos admitted in a press conference following his resignation statement Sunday, that only two other Independent Greeks lawmakers will follow him in voting against the government and the FYROM name deal.
The 7-strong parliamentary group, which has propped up the government majority of 152 in the 300-member Parlaiment is split.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said he will seek a vote of confidence in Parliament after the resignation of Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, leader of junior partner Independent Greeks, over the FYROM name deal.

Greece's defence minister, who is head of the main coalition partner of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, announced his resignation on Sunday ahead of the upcoming parliamentary vote to end a 27-year name dispute with Macedonia, reported AFP

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is facing a difficult balancing act as his coalition partner, Panos Kammenos, has shifted stance several times regarding his support for the leftist-led administration due to his opposition to the Prespes name deal. A meeting on Sunday morning between the men is expected to determine the future of the shaky coalition. 

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's meeting with his junior coalition partner Panos Kammenos was brought forward to Sunday morning, according to a press release by the Prime Minister's office on Saturday.

The meeting, during which the two sides will discuss the conditions for the dissolution of their partnership and their next steps, is scheduled at 10.30 a.m.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his junior coalition partner Panos Kammenos will most likely meet on Monday afternoon to discuss the conditions for the dissolution of their partnership and their next steps following a phone conversation on Saturday, Kathimerini understands.

The television ratings of an interview with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Open TV channel on Wednesday ranged from 12.4 percent to 16.2 percent, if we include the highest-performing segment. In any case, the percentage was low, not just for an interview with the prime minister but especially if we consider the current political climate.

Panos Kammenos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's right-wing coalition ally, on Friday appeared to have backed down from a threat to quit the government ahead of a vote on the Prespes deal.

Lawmakers with the junior party in Greece's coalition government, Independent Greeks (ANEL), on Friday rejected a request by their chief, Panos Kammenos, to seek the withdrawal from cabinet of party officials.

Defense Minister Panos Kammenos has announced the cancellation of a meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday where the government partners were expected to discuss the future of the leftist-led coalition.