Prokopis Pavlopoulos

The government's bid for consensus with opposition conservatives over its intention to replace the Supreme Court's president and prosecutor before a snap election on July 7 fell by the wayside on Thursday after its proposal was turned down by New Democracy. 

Embattled Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called a cabinet meeting on Friday, which is scheduled to take place in Parliament at 1 p.m.

By George Gilson

A top advisor to main opposition New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned that if the government during its last week in office appoints the new Supreme Court Chief Justice and Prosecutor after their term ends on 30 June and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos signs the necessary Presidential Decree, that could trigger a constitutional crisis.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Tuesday welcomed the newly appointed Archbishop of America Elpidophoros at the Presidential Mansion in Athens and congratulated him on his election.

Pavlopoulos stressed the importance of the new archbishop's mission as a pillar of support to the world's biggest community of diaspora Greeks.

Snap elections in Greece may take place on July 7 instead of June 30 as a result of nationwide university entrance exams, which will be running from June 6 to July 2.

Straight on the heels of a crushing defeat for SYRIZA in the 26 May European Parliament and local elections, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has announced that on 3 June, the day after local elections run-offs, he will visit President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and request the proclamation of early elections.

The overarching question in Greek politics on the eve of the European Parliament and local elections of 26 May was when Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will call the general election.

Archbishop Ieronymos received Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios on Wednesday in what has been described as a visit intended to the bury the hatchet between Athens and the Phanar. 

Vartholomaios described the thaw in relations between the two leaders saying, "Blood cannot be turned into water."

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios is expected in Athens on Wednesday for talks with Greek Archbishop Ieronymos that are widely expected to usher in a new era in relations between the Church of Greece and the Phanar.

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria (c) and Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos (r) attend an event titled "Challenges and Opportunities Related to a New Climate Economy: Driving Innovation for Sustainable Development," at the Academy of Athens, Thursday. [Yannis Kolesidis/EPA]