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Monday, 20 May 2019

Fitch ‘warning bell’ over recent loosening of Greek fiscal ‘strings’

The abruptly announced loosening of fiscal discipline by the Greek government last week – modest tax breaks, a lowering of certain VAT rates and the reinstitution of a pension bonus…

Greek PM alludes to granting ’14th pension’ in end 2019, as Europarliament elex now a week away

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday “upped the ante” ahead of Sunday’s European Parliament election, telling a radio news program that his government’s goal is to extend an end-of-the-year…

Stabbing incident in Thessaloniki after Sunday rally for Pontian genocide

A stabbing incident occurred in Thessaloniki on Sunday evening immediately after a large rally in the city’s center to commemorate the centennial of the Pontian Genocide in northwest Turkey, with…

Greek FinMin confirms: Strict reax by ESM’s Regling over recent govt measures

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Monday admitted that Athens’ delegation at a Eurogroup meeting last Thursday was the recipient of a “strict reaction” by ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling,…

Israeli funds particularly active in Thessaloniki real estate market

By V. Vegiri [email protected] Roughly 30 properties in the center of Thessaloniki, and in the greater metro area, have been purchased by Israeli interests over the recent period, mostly by…

Metro wagons vandalized with graffiti days after ‘inauguration’ atop truck bed

Days after a top government minister, a mayoral candidate backed by ruling SYRIZA party and a bevy of local officials “inaugurated” four metro wagons loaded onto a truck outside a…

Saturday, 18 May 2019

High court prosecutor intervenes in N17 terrorist’s furlough request; overturns previous rejection

The head of the supreme court prosecutor’s office on Friday evening overturned a ruling, issued the previous week by a regional judicial council, that had rejected a prison furlough request…

461-million-euro contract for replacement of urban buses in Athens, Thessaloniki

Several major bus makers are reportedly ready to vie for a 461-million-euro contract that envisions the replacement of 32 percent of the vehicles operated by the state-run mass transit company…

Friday, 17 May 2019

BoG: Primary budget surplus reduced in Jan-Apr 2019 compared to same period in 2018

The primary budget surplus over the Jan-Apr 2019 is slightly down compared to the same period of 2018, 1.156 billion euros, compared to 1.586 billion euros in the first four…

Zuckerberg couple’s selfie atop the Acropolis in Athens

The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, posted a selfie of himself and his wife, Priscilla Chan, from atop the Acropolis in central Athens on Friday – on Facebook, of course.…

Cyprus President Anastasiades briefs US NSA John Bolton over continued Turkish provocations in Cypriot waters

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades spoke by phone on Friday with US National Security Advisor John Bolton, with diplomatic sources later telling media on the island republic that the former initiated…

Payout of ’13th pension’ on Fri.; all social security, welfare benefits allocated by next Friday – 2 days before elex

Retirees and other beneficiaries in Greece, exceeding two million, will see a so-called “13th pension” in their bank accounts by Friday, more than a week after Greek Prime Minister Alexis…

Economist scrutinizes Greek PM’s luxury yacht holiday, pre-election handouts

The Economist takes a scrutinizing look at the Greek political scene this week, ahead of the looming European Parliament election, with an article entitled “Alexis Tsipras sails into a social…

Italy’s Scafi purchases haft of Vernicos Tugs & Salvage; new company called Vericos

By A. Tsimplakis [email protected] Italy’s Scafi Societe di Navigazione S.p.A. this week announced the purchase of 50 percent of Vernicos Tugs & Salvage’s shares, with the new maritime entity –…

Thursday, 16 May 2019

Greek planters’ association urges vigilance against arrival of olive-killing xylella bacterium

Greece’s Plant Exporters Association (ESEEFY) on Thursday issued an urgent warning to olive tree cultivators in the country to be vigilant against the xylella fastidiosa bacterium, the feared cause of “olive…

Record-breaking WorldChampion Jet begins Aegean routes for Seajets

Greece-based Seajets has officially welcomed the latest addition to its fast ferry fleet, with the WorldChampion Jet already serving the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini route since late April 2019. A relevant ceremony was held…

High single-digit difference between ND, SYRIZA in new poll on Thurs

A 7.6-percentage point difference between main opposition New Democracy (ND) party and ruling SYRIZA is the result of a latest opinion poll unveiled on Thursday evening. The poll, by the…

‘Coolness’, concern by EZ partners to Athens’ announcements; Regling negative

By N. Bellos Several EU leaders commented on Thursday on the poll-trailing Tsipras government’s abrupt announcement – last week – of tax breaks and VAT reductions, before and following a…

Finance ministry: First VAT cuts to take effect on Mon.

The finance ministry on Thursday afternoon announced that reductions in certain categories of VAT rates will come into effect on Monday, a week before a European Parliament election. The first…

ΝΒG announces ambitious goal of reducing NPEs to 5% by 2022

National Bank of Greece (NBG) on Thursday announced a very ambitious target for reducing non-performing exposures (NPEs) until 2022, saying the goal is to ease to 5 percent of its…

Employers’ group: Energy costs in Greece 30% higher than EU average

Greece’s biggest employers’ group, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), on Thursday pointed to the country’s continued disadvantage of featuring amongst the highest energy prices among the EU’s 28. In…

FF in desperate attempt to stay afloat amid financing drought

Βy S. Emmanuil [email protected] Folli Follie’s cash reserves are reportedly running out in the face of a lack of extended credit, while developments on the legal continue to plague the…

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

BoG Gov.: No fiscal space left in 2019 for more benefits

Bank of Greece (Gov) Yannis Stournaras sounded warning bells over the current Tsipras government pre-election measures, saying there is no “fiscal space” this year for further benefits beyond those foreseen…

Self-styled anarchists attack municipal candidate’s event, attended by former PM, ministers

A group of 10 to 15 masked perpetrators on Wednesday afternoon targeted a campaign event by an Athens municipal candidate that was attended by former prime minister Antonis Samaras and…

Five Greek sites on Guardian’s ‘Top 40’ European beaches – Voidokilia in SW Greece first

Five beaches in Greece are included in a “Top 40” list compiled by Guardian’s editors, with Voidokilia, in the extreme southwest Messinia prefecture topping the specific sites in the east…

Eight people detained after latest ‘intervention’ outside US ambassador’s residence; self-styled anarchists step up actions

Eight people were detained by police in the early morning hours of Wednesday after an unknown number of suspects threw paint and a smoke flair outside the residence of US…

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Eurozone partners may ask for clarifications over recently announced Greek relief package

By N. Bellos [email protected] The sudden announcement, last week, of modest tax breaks and VAT reductions by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has reportedly caused unease amongst the country’s eurozone…

DM: Official Turkish behavior in Aegean ‘unlawful’; illegal activities in Cyprus’ EEZ

Greece’s defense minister on Tuesday referred directly to what he called official Turkey’s “unlawful” behavior in the Aegean and illegal activities in the Republic of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).…

Cruise ship sector in Greece forecasts higher 2019 results; BoG reveals figures for per diem spending by passengers

By A. Tsimplakis [email protected] Three factors this year are expected to boost the cruise sector in the eastern Mediterranean, namely, the re-inclusion of Turkish ports of call on operators’ itinerary,…

FinMin promises lower VAT rate for Greeks’ beloved coffee – but only on shelves

Greece’s finance minister on Tuesday promised a reduced VAT rate for coffee and other beverages on super market shelves, but not for drinks served on countertops, following negative reactions from…