Politics of Greece

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras accused SYRIZA on Friday of preparing to make unilateral moves that would spark a Greek default if it comes to power, as the opposition party tried to distance itself from suggestions by one of its own MPs that it might stop repaying the country’s debt.

Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced the creation of a new political party on Jan. 2, confirming a long-expected split from the centre-left PASOK and complicating the potential outcome of this month's general election.

Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced the creation of a new political party on Friday, confirming a long-expected split from the center-left PASOK and complicating the potential outcome of this month's general election.

Papandreou, the son of one of Greece's most prominent

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will begin his national election campaign on Saturday, when he will visit Thessaly in central Greece.

Deputy Prime Minister and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos is due to speak in the Peloponnese over the weekend.

Outspoken New Democracy MP Adonis Georgiadis took to Twitter on Thursday to criticize Attica Governor Rena Dourou for failing to attend a New Year’s Day church service. He said it was a “disgrace” that the SYRIZA politician did not line up with other dignitaries at Aghios Dionysos church.

“Mrs Dourou does not like church,” tweeted New Democracy’s parliamentary spokesman.

As the campaign for the January 25 elections gets under way, the government has accused SYRIZA of risking a Greek default after several opposition party officials suggested that a leftist administration might stop paying the country’s loan obligations if its lenders do not provide debt relief.

Democratic Left’s (DIMAR) bid to be absorbed within SYRIZA appears to have failed after the party’s two leaders were unable to agree on the terms of a potential cooperation.

In his final New Year’s message as president of the republic, Karolos Papoulias called for Greece’s political parties to show unity.

“National unity is necessary for success,” he said.

Parliament dissolved, Greece to vote on Jan. 25

ATHENS -- The Greek parliament has been dissolved ahead of early elections to be held on January 25, as announced by the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Greek MPs on Monday failed in their third and final attempt to elect former EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas (73) as head of state.

Greece's parliament was dissolved on Wednesday ahead of an early election warily watched by markets and international creditors concerned that the austerity-weary country could begin to undo fiscal reforms.