Clashes ahead of the European elections

By Constantine Capsaskis

Newsletter Editor

Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. The European elections of June 9 are almost here, and Greece’s politicians are gearing up for the vote.

The parliamentary clash between the parties on Friday took the form of an informal, and contentious, debate, with the cost-of-living crisis sitting squarely in center-frame.?

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that addressing the issue was his government’s primary concern, noting that “it dominates public opinion polls, overshadowing other everyday life issues”.

However, he attacked proposals by the opposition to combat rising prices, stating that “combating inflation is a formidable task that demands time, consistent effort, and, above all, a realistic grasp of the situation.”

“Mr. Mitsotakis is on the honor roll of rising prices in Europe. This is the only honor roll he is on,” said the head of main opposition party SYRIZA’s parliamentary group Sokratis Famellos, adding that “Mr. Mitsotakis was a minister in the governments that bankrupted Greece.”

“With your policies Greece steadily diverges [from Europe] in its economy, its purchasing power, productive foreign investment – and not real estate -, public health, and, of course, we have deficiencies in the rule of law,” said PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis.

Additionally, earlier this week, the parliamentary parties to the left of New Democracy (SYRIZA, PASOK, the Communist Party of Greece, Course for Freedom, and the New Left) all called for the government to recognize the state of Palestine, following the recent joint announcement by Spain, Ireland, and Norway.

In response, the prime minister said that recognition of Palestinian statehood has been exploited by Hamas, stating that “any decision on Palestinian status can only be made within the framework of a clearly defined road map leading to that outcome and we believe we are not yet at that point”.

Finally, the criminal indictment over claims of obstruction at the site of the Tempe rail disaster was forwarded to Parliament on Thursday by the Justice Ministry. It is most likely that any political developments and initiatives over the indictment will take place following the elections.

Spotlight

• The Greek government is examining requests, both older and newer, for military equipment for Ukraine from the reserves of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The lists, addressed to all NATO members, include missiles and launchers for both the S-300 and Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, F-16 fighter jets and F-16 parts. Greece has committed to providing further assistance to Ukraine on the condition that it does not negatively impact its own deterrence capabilities. This means that it will not provide any surface-to-air missile systems unless they are first replaced by new ones. However, there is overall a positive atmosphere between Kyiv and Athens, as evidenced by a telephone call between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. On the same day, the Ukrainian Presidency also announced that it will be signing a security agreement with Greece in the near future, which will most likely include a multi-year deal for support of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and will possibly allow for the prospect of industrial co-operation between the two countries following the war.

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• Following the objections raised by Turkey to the proposed establishment of maritime parks by the Greek government, it was reported by Turkish media that?the country will pursue a declaration of its own maritime parks to broaden the agenda on Greek-Turkish issues. However, it can be conjectured that the leak of these plans to the Turkish press was a warning to Greece not to proceed with its plans, something Turkey has decried as a fait accompli. It should be noted that Defense Minister Nikos Dendias reiterated his view in Parliament this week that Turkey remains an existential threat to Greece. “Our legal and geographical boundaries are being threatened”, he emphasized, adding that “we must be ready for this, despite the fact that we welcome in the most absolute terms the calm waters and the positive atmosphere with neighboring Turkey.

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OPINION

In unity we stand strong

By Tom Ellis

Editor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition

As the fourth?international conference?of the Archons of?the Ecumenical?Patriarchate,?focused on protecting religious freedom and ensuring the future of the?Patriarchate, as well as?the first Global Summit of Archons that will follow,?get?underway in Athens, there is?a lingering?challenge for those?who care about?the future of the Greek Orthodox Church, but also?of?Hellenism in general;?how?to achieve and preserve?unity.

The issue is not confined to?the Archons,?a?crucial pillar of support for?the Patriarchate, but concerns?the way a number of other important organizations and personalities?interact and cooperate,?or do not.

For obvious reasons, the Greek community of the?United States is the most?influential?part of the global?puzzle of Hellenism, and there the frictions?and power games have become?a worrisome reality.

The?political and economic?heavyweights, the Greek government, the leadership?of the Faith, and other less visible actors,?all have a shared?responsibility to avoid the?personality clashes that have traumatized the cause, and to focus in?ensuring?the long-term survival and influence?of the?nation and the?Church.

The challenge for all, including the media, at least?the serious and influential opinion makers that really care and can have an impact,?is?to?create the necessary conditions for sincere communication to take place and?people to come together.

All the protagonists need to take a step back, and instead of backstabbings and attacks, public or in the background, establish?a?process of?mutual compromises that will allow?if not for?close cooperation, at least for?better?coordination.

All should rise above their egos. Not?an easy task, it is true.

Still, in?these turbulent times when?Hellenism and the Greek Orthodox Church are?facing?multiple challenges and even threats, the only way to?stand strong?is in?unity.

CHART OF THE WEEK

Domestic demand for real estate purchases is in decline as evidenced by the latest survey by Spitogatos property network on prices of country and holiday homes. According to the data, while demand for purchasing residential properties decreased year-on-year in the first months of 2024 by 4.2%, international interest in the Greek real estate market increased by 11.8%. The erosion of individuals’ bank deposits and a reported increase in their intention to save money, combined with the rapid increase in asking prices, are seen to be the main reasons behind this decline in domestic demand. On the other hand, international interest (primarily from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States) continues to increase, with international demand growing by 5% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

ESCAPADE

Nafplio: A Perfect Blend of Romance, History, and Nature

A short hop from Athens, the historic city of Nafplio is the perfect romantic getaway, boasting beautiful architecture and numerous cultural gems.

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ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL

1. “The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,477.69 points on Friday, down 0.86% from last week.”
2. “Business turnover recorded a five-year high in 2023, boosted by consumption and inflation, according to data released by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Sales increased by 11.24 billion euros (3%) year-on-year, with 71 out of 87 business sectors seeing more sales.”
3. “Registered unemployment is at a 13-year-low according to the latest data published by the Public Employment Service (DYPA), with the number of unemployed falling below 900,000 for the first time since 2011.”

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

27/05/2024

Kasselakis in the West Bank: Main opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis continues a two-day trip to the West Bank.

28/05/2024

Political gatherings: With two weeks remaining until the European elections, political leaders continue to hold rallies across Greece. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit the Peloponnese and Crete this week, main opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis will hold a rally in Kalamata, and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis will meet with supporters in Rhodes.

29/05/2024

Europa Conference League: The Hellenic Police have announced a series of preventative measures ahead of the clash between Olympiacos and Fiorentina at the European soccer final. They include traffic and parking restrictions in several areas near the AEK Arena stadium, starting from Monday to early Thursday.

PODCAST

Is North Macedonia’s nationalist turn putting Prespa at risk?

Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what he has called a destabilizing nationalism from North Macedonia’s VMRO-DPMNE, and break down what the broader risks are for not just North Macedonia and Greece, but the region.

Listen to the episode>