About: Antonis Samaras

Greek judges call for calm over Novartis scandal

The Greek Union of Judges and Prosecutors called for “calmness and sobriety” on Friday (16 February), following a lawsuit by former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras against Premier Alexis Tsipras and Prosecutor of Corruption Eleni Touloupaki over the Novartis scandal.

Psychoanalyst: ‘Reactance’ could determine Brexit

Lessons from the 2015 Greek referendum, and France's rejection of the European Constitution in 2005, could help the EU avoid a Brexit. EURACTIV Greece reports.

Mitsotakis’ victory puts Greek politics to the test

The ascenscion of liberal Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the New Democracy party's leadership has shaken Greece's fragile political landscape. EURACTIV Greece reports.

Greek parliament to recognise Palestine amid opposition concerns

The Syriza-led Greek parliament will vote on 22 December to recognise the Palestinian state, triggering nervous reactions among centre-right opposition parties. EURACTIV Greece reports.

EPP leaders: populism a ‘cancer’ spreading across Europe

Leaders from the European Peoples Party (EPP) meeting in Madrid on Thursday (22 October) warned that populism was a “disease” spreading “like a cancer” in the EU.

Greece defaults on IMF loan, referendum hangs in doubt

Greece's last-minute overtures to international creditors for financial aid yesterday (30 June) were not enough to save it from becoming the first developed economy to default on a loan with the International Monetary Fund. The situation remains so uncertain that even the Sunday referendum, on whether to accept the aid, hangs in doubt.

Tsipras: ‘Greece is part of Europe’

The 5 July referendum called by the Greek government will be on the agreement proposed by international creditors, not on a Grexit, said Alexis Tsipras, late Friday night (26 June). EURACTIV Greece reports.

Juncker talks Grexit avoidance tactics with Samaras

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had lunch with former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Brussels today (4 May), where the pair reportedly discussed tactics to avoid a political and economic collapse of Greece.

Juncker rejects Greek debt write-off

With the uncertainty surrounding Greek debt preoccupying political leaders, the President of the European Commission has called on Athens to "respect Europe". EURACTIV France reports. 

Commission fears Greece is ‘deceiving’ itself

The President of the European Commission has asked EU countries to honour their commitments in the run-up to a general election, which could see the radical left rise to power in Greece. EURACTIV France reports.

Greeks step up bank withdrawals fearing election aftermath

Greeks stepped up bank withdrawals last month when the threat of a government collapse grew, but the money has largely remained in the country with no sign so far of a full-blown capital flight as in 2012, Greek bankers familiar with the matter said.

Greece heads to election after Parliament refuses to approve new president

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced plans for an early general election next month after parliament rejected his candidate for president on Monday, throwing the country's international bailout into doubt.

First attempt to elect Stavros Dimas president of Greece fails

Greek lawmakers failed to elect a new president in a first round of voting yesterday (17 December), leaving Prime Minister Antonis Samaras looking for as many as 20 votes from independents and small parties, in order to avoid snap elections early next year.

Syriza reiterates its commitment to the eurozone

Syriza has decisively ruled out the “Grexit” option, according to EU Parliament Vice President and Syriza MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis, who spoke in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV Greece in Strasbourg.

Juncker’s meddling in Greece’s election sparks controversy

Jean-Claude Juncker’s recent interference in Greek politics ahead of the crucial presidential vote sparked reactions in Athens and Brussels. EURACTIV Greece reports.

Greek economy faces ‘irreparable damage’

Greece's economy faces the risk of "irreparable" damage as the political crisis of recent days takes on increasingly serious proportions, the country's central bank chief said in prepared speech remarks yesterday (15 December).

European Commission officially backs government candidate in Greek elections

?In an unprecedented move, the new Commission on Wednesday (10 December) decided to formally back a political candidate running for president in Greece, and applauded the Greek government for calling snap elections. 

Greek PM names former EU commissioner as presidential nominee

Former European Union environment commissioner Stavros Dimas has been chosen as the Greek government's candidate for president, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced on Tuesday (9 November).

Greece resumes talks with lenders to exit bailout

Greece's government will resume stalled talks with EU/IMF lenders in Paris today (25 November), as Athens pushes to conclude a review by inspectors so it can make an early exit to an unpopular bailout programme.

Cyprus President replaced by Greek PM at EU summit

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades was hospitalised ahead of the first day of the EU summit yesterday (23 October), and was replaced at the summit by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. This is the first time that a leader from another country replaces a colleague at the EU summit table.

Samaras calls confidence vote ahead of bailout exit talks

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras seeks a confidence vote today (10 October) to rally support for his plan to abandon a widely-reviled EU/IMF aid package and end mounting speculation that his government is on its last legs.

Greece tells Merkel it can exit bailout early

Greece should be able to exit its international bailout ahead of schedule and cover its own financing needs from next year, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Tuesday (23 September) after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Macedonian spat marks end of Greek presidency

During his last appearance in the European Parliament in his capacity as EU President, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said he did not know about the existence of a Macedonian language, and that this tongue was created by the communists in Tito’s Yugoslavia.