About: SYRIZA
Greek minister: Far-right rise in Europe needs a progressive federalism response
The election of Manfred Weber as the European People’s Party (EPP) Spitzenkandidat ahead of next May's European elections confirms the right turn of the EPP, Nikos Pappas, Greek minister for digital policy, media and telecommunications, told EURACTIV.com on Thursday (8 November).
Controversy in Greece: did New Democracy have secret contacts with Zaev?
A big controversy is ongoing in Greece following reports that the country’s largest opposition force, New Democracy, which strongly opposes the name deal with Skopje, has had secretive contacts with the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Zoran Zaev.
Britain’s Syriza: Corbyn looks to learn from the Greeks
UK's Labour party have been taking lessons from Greece's leftist Syriza party, the Greek Minister of State Dimitris Tzanakopoulos has said.
Greek opposition hits at Tsipras over wildfires: ‘How do you sleep?’
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accused the opposition today (31 July) of exploiting one of the country’s worst ever natural disasters for saying ministers should resign over the deaths of at least 91 people in a fire.
S&D chief tells Greek progressives to rally against New Democracy ‘chaos’
S&D President Udo Bullmann called on progressive political forces in Greece to join forces as the “only way to the country’s future” and not turn to a conservative New Democracy government, which has a big responsibility for the crisis.
Europe En Marche says “not compatible” with Italian 5 Star Movement
The Italian press reported that France's Europe En Marche was reaching out to the 5 Star Movement. This was then clearly refuted by En Marche.
Paradise Papers is an ‘opportunity’ for EU to tackle multinational tax evasion, says Greek MEP
The Paradise Papers has presented the EU with a golden opportunity to crack down on tax evasion by multinationals and the art of investing profits from cheap labour in tax havens practised by emerging economies, insists European Parliament Vice-President Dimitris Papadimoulis.
S&D chief works for a progressive alliance away from ‘Orbánising’ EPP
There should be a clear distinction between the right and the left in European politics and the EU socialists should open the door to other anti-austerity progressive forces as well as to those who do not want to follow the “Orbánisation” of the centre-right, S&D leader Gianni Pittella told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Trans-Europe Express: Lega Nord Means Berlusconi
The Lega Nord has won the election. Or so one would be inclined to believe, surveying the stories on Italian politics published since August in the (mostly) UK press. A bit of Brexit projection, perhaps? Not exactly, but it can’t be excluded either.
EU’s leftists accuse Estonian Presidency of playing political games
The Estonian Presidency is holding an informal ministerial conference in Tallinn on Wednesday (23 August) under the title “The Heritage in 21st Century Europe of the Crimes Committed by Communist Regimes".
Moscovici: Leftist Syriza government is not populist
Greece’s ruling leftist Syriza party cannot today be considered as a populist party because they have made tough choices and implemented difficult reforms in order to stay in the eurozone, Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has said.
For Greece and Its creditors, the clock is ticking
Both Athens and its creditors want to complete the review of Greece’s bailout program before the European electoral season starts in March, making an agreement likely, writes Stratfor.
Obama offers Greece solidarity on debt as police clash with protesters
Barack Obama offered solidarity with Greece over its debt and migrant crises yesterday (15 November) during his final trip to Europe as US president before handing over power to Donald Trump.
From shock to delight: Member state reactions to Trump’s victory
Donald Trump's victory in the US elections took most of the EU countries by surprise. A majority of leaders appeared apprehensive of the consequences, with the exception of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, for whom Trump’s election is “great news” and a proof that “democracy is still alive”. This article will be updated as reactions keep arriving.
Eurozone says more debt relief for Greece ‘impossible’ for now
Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, in a move likely to anger Athens and the IMF, warned yesterday (7 November) it would be impossible to draw up fresh debt relief for Greece by year's end.
Greek retirees protest pension cuts
Greek pensioners took to the streets of the capital on Thursday (3 November) to protest against a new wave of pension cuts the leftist-led government imposed as part of an austerity drive prescribed by international lenders.
Bütikofer: Green parties ‘are not so limited in our reach as we once were!’
Pan-European polls do not paint a pleasant picture for the continent's green parties: if elections were to be held today, they would only win a quarter of the 50 seats they currently hold in the European Parliament. EURACTIV.de spoke with European Green MEP Reinhard Bütikofer about the issue.
Talks begin for left-wing ‘grand coalition’ in EU Parliament
Socialist MEPs are exploring a left-wing alternative to their traditional alliance with the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), which currently rules the European Parliament.
The Somme, Verdun and Brexit
Brexit was the point at which two narratives about 20th century European history collided. The 21st century has seen Europe begin to turn once again toward nationalism. Fritz Groothues warns there is much to be done to reverse this trend.
Only four Greek TV channels get licences, eight to close
Greece cut sharply today (2 September) the number of television channels operating in the country, awarding just four broadcasting licences to an industry which authorities say is mired in mismanagement and corruption.
Hollande tries to bring together Europe’s South
At a meeting of socialist leaders yesterday (25 August), French President François Hollande pleaded against the rise of populism. He also announced his participation in another summit of the EU’s southern countries in Athens, on 9 September. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission defends Greek debt data after statistics scandal
The European Commission has defended the reliability of Greek statistics on the country’s debt, and called on Athens to counter “misleading media reports” that the data was falsified.
Greek government backs lower voting age but doesn’t offer expats vote
The Greek government’s “progressive” decision to lower the voting age to 17 should be considered as a role model for other EU countries, the European Youth Forum has told EURACTIV.com.