Political “fireworks” in Greece appear to be ebbing in the wake of an agreement with creditors and subsequent votes in Parliament to ratify the deal and pass “prior actions”, while the peaking Grecian summer season means less interest in politics — thankfully — and more for beach, sun, islands and excursions to mainland villages.
Friday political highlights include:
— Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos praising political leaders for “rising to the occasion, in spite of your differences, something recognized by the Greek people,” or so he estimated while hosting the same political leaders at an afternoon reception to mark the 41st anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece.
PM Alexis Tsipras, main opposition New Democracy leader Vangelis Meimarakis, centrist Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis, populist Independent Greeks (AN.EL) president Panos Kammenos and socialist PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata were on hand. The Communist Party (KKE) leader sent a representative in his place while the … ultra-nationalist Golden Dawn party leader, Nikos Mihaloliakos, wasn’t invited, given that he declined to attend a previous such gathering.
— Earlier, Tsipras spoke on the telephone with French President Francois Hollande, with sources close to the former saying the French president praised Tsipras for quickly implementing conditions for the third bailout.
— Center-right New Democracy’s political committee unanimously approved of a decision allowing Meimarakis to lead the party.
Speaking at the same venue, Meimarakis stressed that Greece continues to live through a critical period, while he accused the radical leftist government of losing precious time at the expense of the country.
“Much has been lost in recent months, with huge costs… We were on a path of growth and now we have returned to recession,” he said.
— Potami leader Theodorakis forecast that there will not be snap elections anytime soon, speaking after the reception.
“… we all want passions to subside and for people to go on vacation, those who can, of course; we, the politicians, will remain and tie up loose ends.”
— Finally, PASOKs’ Gennimata urged Tsipras to resolve what she called Parliament President Zoe Konstantopoulou’s opposition to his own government’s policy.
“Circumstances dictate that you personally provide an immediate solution,” she said.
