Nearly 300 firefighters, two water bomber planes and five helicopters were battling Sunday to put out a forest fire in Greece&nbsp;that has so far destroyed around 20 homes and injured eight people, authorities said.

Five villages have been evacuated and eight people hospitalised with burns and respiratory problems since the fire broke out early Saturday near Patras,&nbsp;in the Peloponnese, about 210 kilometres&nbsp;west of Athens, the firefighting service said.&nbsp;

The mayor of nearby Aigialeias, Dimitris Kalogeropoulos, called it "an immense catastrophe".&nbsp;

"There has not yet been an official assessment of the damage, but around 10 houses in the area of Ziria have burnt down, as well as farming sheds and animals stables, which is a lot for the residents of the region who make their living from agriculture," he told the ANA news agency.

Aigialeias' town hall provided emergency accommodation on Saturday for people who had to flee their villages.

The local newspaper, Patrastimes, reported that around 30 houses, farming sheds and stables were consumed by flames in the villages of Ziria, Kamares, Achaias and Labiri.

"We slept outside overnight, terrified that we would not have a house when we woke up," a Labiri resident told Greek TV station Skai.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/greek-fm-nikos-dendias-says-india-greece-uae-to-establish-trilateral-dialogue-hits-out-turkey-397088">Also read |&nbsp;Greek FM Nikos Dendias says India, Greece, UAE to establish trilateral dialogue; hits out Turkey</a>

The seaside resort of Loggos was also evacuated, with nearly 100 residents and tourists sent to the nearby city of Aigio.&nbsp;

'Situation is better'

Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis, who visited the scene to assess the damage on Sunday, said "the current situation is better than it was on Saturday".

"A hundred properties have been saved thanks to the firefighters' battle against the flames," he said. "We remain cautious and will support our citizens affected by this fire."

A motorway in the region was shut down as was the Rio-Antirrio bridge across the Gulf of Corinth connecting the Peloponnese and mainland Greece, ANA reported.&nbsp;

Hospitals in Patras and Aigio were put on notice to admit any injured people, while the coastguard has been on standby to rescue any swimmers overcome by smoke.

According to the civil protection agency, 58 forest fires have broken out over the past 24 hours, although most were quickly brought under control.

The EU's European Forest Fire Information System said that 13,511 hectares had been burnt as of Sunday.

Greece is hit by forest fires every summer, but experts have warned that global warming increases both their frequency and intensity.

The country has been in the grip of another heat wave since Friday, with temperatures hovering between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius, weather forecasters say.

Several days ago, a fire ravaged Mount Penteli, close to the capital Athens, but caused no casualties.

It was the same area where a fire began in July 2018 that went on to claim 102 lives in Greece's worst-ever toll from a forest inferno.

Nearly 300 firefighters, two water bomber planes and five helicopters were battling Sunday to put out a forest fire in Greece that has so far destroyed around 20 homes and injured eight people, authorities said.

Nearly 300 firefighters, two water bomber planes and five helicopters were battling Sunday to put out a forest fire in Greece that has so far destroyed around 20 homes and injured eight people, authorities said. Five villages have been evacuated and eight people hospitalised with burns and respiratory problems since the fire broke out early Saturday near Patras, in the Peloponnese, about 210 kilometres west of Athens, the firefighting service said. The mayor of nearby Aigialeias, Dimitris Kalogeropoulos, called it "an immense catastrophe". "There has not yet been an official assessment of the damage, but around 10 houses in the area of Ziria have burnt down, as well as farming sheds and animals stables, which is a lot for the residents of the region who make their living from agriculture," he told the ANA news agency. Aigialeias' town hall provided emergency accommodation on Saturday for people who had to flee their villages. The local newspaper, Patrastimes, reported that around 30 houses, farming sheds and stables were consumed by flames in the villages of Ziria, Kamares, Achaias and Labiri. "We slept outside overnight, terrified that we would not have a house when we woke up," a Labiri resident told Greek TV station Skai. Also read | Greek FM Nikos Dendias says India, Greece, UAE to establish trilateral dialogue; hits out Turkey The seaside resort of Loggos was also evacuated, with nearly 100 residents and tourists sent to the nearby city of Aigio. 'Situation is better' Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis, who visited the scene to assess the damage on Sunday, said "the current situation is better than it was on Saturday". "A hundred properties have been saved thanks to the firefighters' battle against the flames," he said. "We remain cautious and will support our citizens affected by this fire." A motorway in the region was shut down as was the Rio-Antirrio bridge across the Gulf of Corinth connecting the Peloponnese and mainland Greece, ANA reported. Hospitals in Patras and Aigio were put on notice to admit any injured people, while the coastguard has been on standby to rescue any swimmers overcome by smoke. According to the civil protection agency, 58 forest fires have broken out over the past 24 hours, although most were quickly brought under control. The EU's European Forest Fire Information System said that 13,511 hectares had been burnt as of Sunday. Greece is hit by forest fires every summer, but experts have warned that global warming increases both their frequency and intensity. The country has been in the grip of another heat wave since Friday, with temperatures hovering between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius, weather forecasters say. Several days ago, a fire ravaged Mount Penteli, close to the capital Athens, but caused no casualties. It was the same area where a fire began in July 2018 that went on to claim 102 lives in Greece's worst-ever toll from a forest inferno.

Greek firefighters battle to extinguish forest blaze

Protesters&nbsp;and&nbsp;police&nbsp;clashed outside Greek parliament in Athens&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;during&nbsp;a&nbsp;rally&nbsp;against&nbsp;coronavirus vaccinations.

Demonstrators and officers could be seen exchanging blows before&nbsp;police&nbsp;sent volleys of&nbsp;tear&nbsp;gas&nbsp;into the crowd of about 1,500 people.

Two&nbsp;water&nbsp;cannons&nbsp;fired on the crowds to disperse the protest. One protester stood in front of the&nbsp;water&nbsp;cannon&nbsp;as it was moving while another struck the vehicle.

Protesters, many of them unmasked, held&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;flags and crosses, singing the national anthem.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/greek-fm-nikos-dendias-says-india-greece-uae-to-establish-trilateral-dialogue-hits-out-turkey-397088">Also read |&nbsp;Greek FM Nikos Dendias says India, Greece, UAE to establish trilateral dialogue; hits out Turkey</a>

It is the second&nbsp;rally&nbsp;in a week&nbsp;against&nbsp;Greece's&nbsp;COVID-19 inoculation drive. A&nbsp;rally&nbsp;last Wednesday, prompted by a government decision to order the mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers and nursing home staff, drew some 5,000 people. The government has suggested other groups, such as teachers, may need to be vaccinated in the fall.

One placard read "hands off our children" as the vaccination programme opened to teenagers this month.

More than 4.7 million people have been fully vaccinated in the country of 11 million, more than 41 per cent.

Infections in Greece have been rising in recent weeks, and authorities reported almost 3,000 new cases on Wednesday.

The government has eased several restrictions in the last month as the tourism season is underway in the country.

Protesters and police clashed outside Greek parliament in Athens on Wednesday during a rally against coronavirus vaccinations. Demonstrators and officers could be seen exchanging blows before police sent volleys of tear gas into the crowd of about 1,500 people.

Protesters and police clashed outside Greek parliament in Athens on Wednesday during a rally against coronavirus vaccinations. Demonstrators and officers could be seen exchanging blows before police sent volleys of tear gas into the crowd of about 1,500 people. Two water cannons fired on the crowds to disperse the protest. One protester stood in front of the water cannon as it was moving while another struck the vehicle. Protesters, many of them unmasked, held Greek flags and crosses, singing the national anthem. Also read | Greek FM Nikos Dendias says India, Greece, UAE to establish trilateral dialogue; hits out Turkey It is the second rally in a week against Greece's COVID-19 inoculation drive. A rally last Wednesday, prompted by a government decision to order the mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers and nursing home staff, drew some 5,000 people. The government has suggested other groups, such as teachers, may need to be vaccinated in the fall. One placard read "hands off our children" as the vaccination programme opened to teenagers this month. More than 4.7 million people have been fully vaccinated in the country of 11 million, more than 41 per cent. Infections in Greece have been rising in recent weeks, and authorities reported almost 3,000 new cases on Wednesday. The government has eased several restrictions in the last month as the tourism season is underway in the country.

Greek police fire tear gas during clashes with protesters in rally against COVID-19 vaccines

Police&nbsp;in Greece on Thursday arrested the deputy&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn who had evaded justice since he was sentenced to over 13 years in jail in October, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;source said.

Christos Pappas had been on the run since a landmark trial handed down sentences to more than 50 Golden Dawn defendants on charges including running a criminal organisation, murder, assault and illegal weapons possession.

Sentenced to prison for his leading role in running the outfit, the 59-year-old Pappas was arrested at a home in the Athens district of Zografou, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;source told AFP.

A&nbsp;police&nbsp;statement said Pappas would be taken to a prosecutor on Friday.

A 52-year-old woman allegedly hiding him in her home was also arrested, the statement said.

The moustachioed former furniture store owner, whose lieutenant general father was part of the 1967 army coup that installed a seven-year dictatorship in Greece, Pappas was considered a leading ideologue of Golden Dawn.

He is a noted fan of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and a collector of fascist memorabilia.

Pappas was the last Golden Dawn cadre to evade justice, after former senior member Ioannis Lagos, a member of the European Parliament, was extradited from Belgium in May.

He had made it clear through his legal representation that he had not intended to turn himself in, hoping to secure a lighter sentence on appeal.

Pappas had also escaped arrest in 2013, when senior Golden Dawn members had been rounded up following the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas -- the crime that led to the organisation's undoing.

At the time,&nbsp;police&nbsp;searching Pappas' home had found swastika flags, two German army helmets and bottles stamped with images of Benito Mussolini.

The Golden Dawn trial, which began in 2015, has been described as one of the most significant in&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;political history.

The court accepted that the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group operated under a military-style leadership that encouraged the beating of migrants and political opponents.

Knuckle dusters, crowbars, knives

Prosecutors outlined how Golden Dawn set up militias who roamed the streets, often armed with knuckle dusters, crowbars and knives.

Other crimes tied to the group include the murder of a Pakistani migrant and the beatings of four Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and a group of Communist unionists in 2013.

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The organisation's founder and long-term&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Nikos Michaloliakos has also been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison, alongside several other senior party members.

The former fringe party won 18 seats in parliament in 2012 after tapping into anti-austerity and anti-migrant anger during Greece's decade-long debt crisis.

At the height of its power in 2013, the party was polling at 10 per cent, making it Greece's third most popular party.

But its influence began to ebb as the group's criminal activities came to light in trial testimony.

It failed to win a single seat in the last parliamentary election in 2019.

Police in Greece on Thursday arrested the deputy leader of neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn who had evaded justice since he was sentenced to over 13 years in jail in October, a police source said.

Police in Greece on Thursday arrested the deputy leader of neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn who had evaded justice since he was sentenced to over 13 years in jail in October, a police source said. Christos Pappas had been on the run since a landmark trial handed down sentences to more than 50 Golden Dawn defendants on charges including running a criminal organisation, murder, assault and illegal weapons possession. Sentenced to prison for his leading role in running the outfit, the 59-year-old Pappas was arrested at a home in the Athens district of Zografou, a police source told AFP. A police statement said Pappas would be taken to a prosecutor on Friday. A 52-year-old woman allegedly hiding him in her home was also arrested, the statement said. The moustachioed former furniture store owner, whose lieutenant general father was part of the 1967 army coup that installed a seven-year dictatorship in Greece, Pappas was considered a leading ideologue of Golden Dawn. He is a noted fan of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and a collector of fascist memorabilia. Pappas was the last Golden Dawn cadre to evade justice, after former senior member Ioannis Lagos, a member of the European Parliament, was extradited from Belgium in May. He had made it clear through his legal representation that he had not intended to turn himself in, hoping to secure a lighter sentence on appeal. Pappas had also escaped arrest in 2013, when senior Golden Dawn members had been rounded up following the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas -- the crime that led to the organisation's undoing. At the time, police searching Pappas' home had found swastika flags, two German army helmets and bottles stamped with images of Benito Mussolini. The Golden Dawn trial, which began in 2015, has been described as one of the most significant in Greek political history. The court accepted that the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group operated under a military-style leadership that encouraged the beating of migrants and political opponents. Knuckle dusters, crowbars, knives Prosecutors outlined how Golden Dawn set up militias who roamed the streets, often armed with knuckle dusters, crowbars and knives. Other crimes tied to the group include the murder of a Pakistani migrant and the beatings of four Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and a group of Communist unionists in 2013. Read | Drone spotted inside Indian mission in Islamabad; matter raised The organisation's founder and long-term leader Nikos Michaloliakos has also been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison, alongside several other senior party members. The former fringe party won 18 seats in parliament in 2012 after tapping into anti-austerity and anti-migrant anger during Greece's decade-long debt crisis. At the height of its power in 2013, the party was polling at 10 per cent, making it Greece's third most popular party. But its influence began to ebb as the group's criminal activities came to light in trial testimony. It failed to win a single seat in the last parliamentary election in 2019.

Fugitive Greek neo-Nazi deputy leader caught, says police

Seven bishops from the Greek Orthodox Church were hurt in an&nbsp;acid&nbsp;attack late Wednesday by a priest undergoing a disciplinary hearing in Athens, police said.

Three of the bishops were still in the hospital following the attack, while a police officer who was at the scene was also being treated, police added.

Greek media reported that they had suffered burns mostly on their faces.

The suspect, a priest who risked being expelled from the church, was accused of being involved in drug trafficking, according to the ANA press agency.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou condemned the attack, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke to the head of the Greek Church, Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos II.

Mitsotakis said he was "deeply sad" and assured the bishop that "the state will offer all possible medical assistance for the victims' speedy recovery".

Seven bishops from the Greek Orthodox Church were hurt in an acid attack late Wednesday by a priest undergoing a disciplinary hearing in Athens, police said. Three of the bishops were still in the hospital following the attack, while a police officer who was at the scene was also being treated, police added.

Seven bishops from the Greek Orthodox Church were hurt in an acid attack late Wednesday by a priest undergoing a disciplinary hearing in Athens, police said. Three of the bishops were still in the hospital following the attack, while a police officer who was at the scene was also being treated, police added. Greek media reported that they had suffered burns mostly on their faces. The suspect, a priest who risked being expelled from the church, was accused of being involved in drug trafficking, according to the ANA press agency. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou condemned the attack, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke to the head of the Greek Church, Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos II. Mitsotakis said he was "deeply sad" and assured the bishop that "the state will offer all possible medical assistance for the victims' speedy recovery".

Seven Greek bishops hurt in acid attack by priest facing disciplinary hearing

A Greek court on Saturday sentenced four Afghan asylum-seekers convicted of starting fires that burnt down Europe's largest migrant camp last year to 10 years in prison each.

The court in Chios found the defendants guilty of arson while their lawyers denounced a "lack of sense of fairness".

No one died in the fires.

The lawyers told AFP they had immediately filed for an appeal after the sentence was handed down.&nbsp;

The young Afghans were taken to the court handcuffed and were expected to return to the Avlona jail outside Athens, were they were held before the trial.&nbsp;

In March, two other Afghan youths were detained in the same facility for five years in connection with the case.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Moria&nbsp;camp on the Aegean island of Lesbos housed more than 10,000 people before it was destroyed by two fires in September 2020.

Media were not allowed inside the courtroom at the end of the trial owing to coronavirus precautions.

Around 20 people, mainly members of foreign solidarity groups, gathered outside the court meanwhile to call for the defendants to be freed.&nbsp;

Targeted&nbsp;for ethnic reasons

Defense lawyers said the Afghans did not get a fair trial.

They said three had documents showing they were under 18 at the time of arrest but were not recognised as minors.&nbsp;

The prosecution is based in large part on the testimony of another Afghan asylum-seeker who identified the six as the perpetrators.

But according to defense lawyers, the witness was not in court Friday and did not appear for the trial in March as he could not be located.

The defendants claim they were targeted by the witness, an ethnic Pashtun, as all six are Hazara, a persecuted minority in Afghanistan.

Other witnesses for the prosecution were police officers, firefighters called to the scene in September 2020, and staff from the European Asylum Service and non-governmental groups who worked at the camp.

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Built-in 2013 to hold up to 3,000 people, the&nbsp;Moria&nbsp;camp was overwhelmed in 2015 as a huge wave of people began arriving on small boats from nearby Turkey.

The camp -- home to asylum-seekers from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia seeking a better life in the European Union -- quickly became a byword for squalor and violence.

The two fires broke out on September 8 and 9 as tensions soared amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Witnesses told AFP a dispute had broken out as 200 migrants refused to quarantine after either testing positive for Covid-19 or coming into contact with someone infected.

Around 13,000 asylum-seekers, among them families with children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities had to sleep in the open for a week after the camp was destroyed.&nbsp;

Authorities have since built a temporary camp on Lesbos that hosts around 6,000 people.

The EU has allocated 276 million euros ($336 million) to build a new permanent camp on Lesbos, and for similar facilities on the islands of Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros.

Around 10,000 asylum-seekers are currently living on these five Aegean islands, the vast majority of them hoping to settle elsewhere in the EU.&nbsp;

A Greek court on Saturday sentenced four Afghan asylum-seekers convicted of starting fires that burnt down Europe's largest migrant camp last year to 10 years in prison each.

A Greek court on Saturday sentenced four Afghan asylum-seekers convicted of starting fires that burnt down Europe's largest migrant camp last year to 10 years in prison each. The court in Chios found the defendants guilty of arson while their lawyers denounced a "lack of sense of fairness". No one died in the fires. The lawyers told AFP they had immediately filed for an appeal after the sentence was handed down. The young Afghans were taken to the court handcuffed and were expected to return to the Avlona jail outside Athens, were they were held before the trial. In March, two other Afghan youths were detained in the same facility for five years in connection with the case. The Moria camp on the Aegean island of Lesbos housed more than 10,000 people before it was destroyed by two fires in September 2020. Media were not allowed inside the courtroom at the end of the trial owing to coronavirus precautions. Around 20 people, mainly members of foreign solidarity groups, gathered outside the court meanwhile to call for the defendants to be freed. Targeted for ethnic reasons Defense lawyers said the Afghans did not get a fair trial. They said three had documents showing they were under 18 at the time of arrest but were not recognised as minors. The prosecution is based in large part on the testimony of another Afghan asylum-seeker who identified the six as the perpetrators. But according to defense lawyers, the witness was not in court Friday and did not appear for the trial in March as he could not be located. The defendants claim they were targeted by the witness, an ethnic Pashtun, as all six are Hazara, a persecuted minority in Afghanistan. Other witnesses for the prosecution were police officers, firefighters called to the scene in September 2020, and staff from the European Asylum Service and non-governmental groups who worked at the camp. Also Read | NATO leaders to bid symbolic adieu to Afghanistan at summit Built-in 2013 to hold up to 3,000 people, the Moria camp was overwhelmed in 2015 as a huge wave of people began arriving on small boats from nearby Turkey. The camp -- home to asylum-seekers from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia seeking a better life in the European Union -- quickly became a byword for squalor and violence. The two fires broke out on September 8 and 9 as tensions soared amid the coronavirus pandemic. Witnesses told AFP a dispute had broken out as 200 migrants refused to quarantine after either testing positive for Covid-19 or coming into contact with someone infected. Around 13,000 asylum-seekers, among them families with children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities had to sleep in the open for a week after the camp was destroyed. Authorities have since built a temporary camp on Lesbos that hosts around 6,000 people. The EU has allocated 276 million euros ($336 million) to build a new permanent camp on Lesbos, and for similar facilities on the islands of Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros. Around 10,000 asylum-seekers are currently living on these five Aegean islands, the vast majority of them hoping to settle elsewhere in the EU.

Four Afghans get 10-year jail terms for Greek migrant camp fire

European Union leaders decided to draw up a list of Turkish target to impose the sanctions on Friday. These sanctions are in response to Turkey's activities of prospecting for gas in Greek and Cypriot waters.

European Union set to impose sanctions on Turkey

Greeks flocked to the seaside on Saturday (May 16) when more than 500 beaches reopened, as the country sought to walk the fine line between protecting people from COVID-19

Greeks return to beaches in heatwave,

The lockdown due to coronavirus has put a damper on Orthodox Easter feasts and festivities, but it was not going to stop Greeks from carrying out their annual lamb roast on Sunday (April 19) even if on balconies.

Even coronavirus can't stop Greeks' Easter lamb roast

Germany will welcome up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, while urging other EU countries to follow suit.

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"We said (to the Greek authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) that we want to take in between 350 and 500 children in the next few weeks," Maas said in an interview with the RTL/ntv broadcaster.&nbsp;

The minister said he hoped other countries would also take in young migrants. "We want to set an example here."

The German cabinet on Wednesday agreed to initially accept 50 children from overcrowded camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios.

The "unaccompanied minors under the age of 14" will be placed in quarantine for two weeks in the state of Lower Saxony before relocating to different regions of the country, according to a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.&nbsp;

A test for the new coronavirus will also be carried out no more than three days before their arrival in Germany.

Transfers from the migrant camps could begin next week, an Interior Ministry statement said Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of asylum-seekers live in dire circumstances in Greek camps, and conditions have worsened recently due to outbreaks of the coronavirus.

Ten European countries have agreed to participate in an EU programme announced at the beginning of March to take in some of the 1,600 vulnerable minors in Greek camps.

However, most have yet to take any concrete action, with border restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis complicating the situation.

German Development Minister Gerd Mueller has called the camps a "disgrace", and urged Brussels to act to avert a "catastrophe".

"Apart from Luxembourg, we are the only ones who are still willing to accept minors," Maas said Wednesday.

Luxembourg has agreed to take in 12 minors.

Other countries that said they would participate are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland, Lithuania and Portugal.

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has also called for more action.&nbsp;

"In recent weeks we have flown 300,000 EU citizens back to the European Union from all over the world because of the virus outbreak. Surely it should be possible to get several thousand young people out of Greece for humanitarian reasons," he said in an interview with German broadcaster RND.

Claudia Roth, a German Green party politician and vice-president of the Bundestag, told news agency DPA that the government decision to accept 50 minors was "long overdue and just a drop in the ocean".

German NGO Pro Asyl, meanwhile, said the plan was "completely insufficient" and called for the camps to be evacuated immediately.

Germany will welcome up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, while urging other EU countries to follow suit.

Germany will welcome up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, while urging other EU countries to follow suit. Also read: How China is muzzling voices that speak against President Xi Jinping "We said (to the Greek authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) that we want to take in between 350 and 500 children in the next few weeks," Maas said in an interview with the RTL/ntv broadcaster. The minister said he hoped other countries would also take in young migrants. "We want to set an example here." The German cabinet on Wednesday agreed to initially accept 50 children from overcrowded camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios. The "unaccompanied minors under the age of 14" will be placed in quarantine for two weeks in the state of Lower Saxony before relocating to different regions of the country, according to a spokesman for the Interior Ministry. A test for the new coronavirus will also be carried out no more than three days before their arrival in Germany. Transfers from the migrant camps could begin next week, an Interior Ministry statement said Tuesday. Tens of thousands of asylum-seekers live in dire circumstances in Greek camps, and conditions have worsened recently due to outbreaks of the coronavirus. Ten European countries have agreed to participate in an EU programme announced at the beginning of March to take in some of the 1,600 vulnerable minors in Greek camps. However, most have yet to take any concrete action, with border restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis complicating the situation. German Development Minister Gerd Mueller has called the camps a "disgrace", and urged Brussels to act to avert a "catastrophe". "Apart from Luxembourg, we are the only ones who are still willing to accept minors," Maas said Wednesday. Luxembourg has agreed to take in 12 minors. Other countries that said they would participate are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland, Lithuania and Portugal. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has also called for more action. "In recent weeks we have flown 300,000 EU citizens back to the European Union from all over the world because of the virus outbreak. Surely it should be possible to get several thousand young people out of Greece for humanitarian reasons," he said in an interview with German broadcaster RND. Claudia Roth, a German Green party politician and vice-president of the Bundestag, told news agency DPA that the government decision to accept 50 minors was "long overdue and just a drop in the ocean". German NGO Pro Asyl, meanwhile, said the plan was "completely insufficient" and called for the camps to be evacuated immediately.

Germany to take up to 500 children from Greek camps

Greek police said they have arrested 28 people for violence that followed a large demonstration in Athens to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-junta uprising.

"In some cases, groups of persons attempted to carry out unlawful action and attacked police forces," the police said in a statement late on Sunday.

Most of the incidents occurred in the bohemian Athens district of Exarchia, where police forces were also accused of unprovoked aggression.

A woman said she was struck on the head while standing in the street, and a journalist said he was also hit after filming one of the attacks.

Separately, several youths were arrested after Molotov firebombs and stones were found on a roof, in an apparent plan to ambush riot police passing below.

Over 30,000 Greeks demonstrated in Athens and other major cities under a heavy police presence Sunday to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-junta uprising, the first since the election of the new conservative government.

The protest, one of the largest, was heavily influenced by opposition to the four-month administration of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, elected in July on a pledge to strengthen law and order.

The anti-junta demonstration is a treasured anniversary for many Greeks.

At least 24 people were killed in the 1973 crackdown, an event generally considered to have broken the junta's grip on power and helped the restoration of democracy.

The annual event traditionally ends in front of the American embassy, which was ringed with police vans Sunday, as the fervently anti-Communist dictators enjoyed backing from Washington at the time.

On Wednesday, in a move seen as directed against the demonstration, the government secured parliamentary approval of a law applying harsher penalties for public violence.

Throwing a Molotov cocktail -- a fairly frequent occurrence at demonstrations in Greece -- is now punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up from five years previously.

Greek police said they have arrested 28 people for violence that followed a large demonstration in Athens to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-junta uprising. "In some cases, groups of persons attempted to carry out unlawful action and attacked police forces," the police said in a statement late on Sunday.

Greek police said they have arrested 28 people for violence that followed a large demonstration in Athens to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-junta uprising. "In some cases, groups of persons attempted to carry out unlawful action and attacked police forces," the police said in a statement late on Sunday. Most of the incidents occurred in the bohemian Athens district of Exarchia, where police forces were also accused of unprovoked aggression. A woman said she was struck on the head while standing in the street, and a journalist said he was also hit after filming one of the attacks. Separately, several youths were arrested after Molotov firebombs and stones were found on a roof, in an apparent plan to ambush riot police passing below. Over 30,000 Greeks demonstrated in Athens and other major cities under a heavy police presence Sunday to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-junta uprising, the first since the election of the new conservative government. The protest, one of the largest, was heavily influenced by opposition to the four-month administration of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, elected in July on a pledge to strengthen law and order. The anti-junta demonstration is a treasured anniversary for many Greeks. At least 24 people were killed in the 1973 crackdown, an event generally considered to have broken the junta's grip on power and helped the restoration of democracy. The annual event traditionally ends in front of the American embassy, which was ringed with police vans Sunday, as the fervently anti-Communist dictators enjoyed backing from Washington at the time. On Wednesday, in a move seen as directed against the demonstration, the government secured parliamentary approval of a law applying harsher penalties for public violence. Throwing a Molotov cocktail -- a fairly frequent occurrence at demonstrations in Greece -- is now punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up from five years previously.

28 arrested after annual anti-junta demo in Greece

Forty-one migrants were found alive in a refrigerated truck in northern Greece on Monday, said police, who arrested the driver.

The migrants, of apparent Afghan origin, were mostly in good condition but seven received first aid in hospital, the police said.

"The truck contained men and boys. Identifying their nationality will require a couple of days," a police source told AFP.

The truck was stopped by police on the Egnatia motorway between the towns of Xanthi and Komotini.

The driver, a man from Georgia, was arrested.

Local media reported that police were also seeking a second man from Turkey in connection with the incident.

The discovery came after 39 people, all believed to be Vietnamese nationals, were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain last month, highlighting the risks of illegal migrant routes to Europe, even for those avoiding perilous travel by sea.

Greece is experiencing its highest asylum-seeker arrival figures since 2016 when a controversial deal between the EU and Turkey stemmed previous flows of nearly a million people.

Scores arrive daily, overwhelming camps on Greek islands facing Turkey where over 34,000 people are staying, most of them in deplorable living conditions.

A two-year-old girl from Iraq died Monday when she was hit by a car on the island of Chios, state agency ANA said.

Forty-one migrants were found alive in a refrigerated truck in northern Greece on Monday, said police, who arrested the driver. The migrants, of apparent Afghan origin, were mostly in good condition but seven received first aid in hospital, the police said.

Forty-one migrants were found alive in a refrigerated truck in northern Greece on Monday, said police, who arrested the driver. The migrants, of apparent Afghan origin, were mostly in good condition but seven received first aid in hospital, the police said. "The truck contained men and boys. Identifying their nationality will require a couple of days," a police source told AFP. The truck was stopped by police on the Egnatia motorway between the towns of Xanthi and Komotini. The driver, a man from Georgia, was arrested. Local media reported that police were also seeking a second man from Turkey in connection with the incident. The discovery came after 39 people, all believed to be Vietnamese nationals, were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain last month, highlighting the risks of illegal migrant routes to Europe, even for those avoiding perilous travel by sea. Greece is experiencing its highest asylum-seeker arrival figures since 2016 when a controversial deal between the EU and Turkey stemmed previous flows of nearly a million people. Scores arrive daily, overwhelming camps on Greek islands facing Turkey where over 34,000 people are staying, most of them in deplorable living conditions. A two-year-old girl from Iraq died Monday when she was hit by a car on the island of Chios, state agency ANA said.

41 migrants found alive in refrigerated truck in Greece

The situation for migrants in camps on Greek islands is "explosive" and "on the edge of catastrophe", the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday.

Greece has once again become the main point of entry for people seeking asylum in Europe and it is struggling to accommodate them despite the availability of EU funds.

"The situation of migrants, including asylum seekers, in the Greek Aegean islands, has dramatically worsened over the past 12 months," Dunja Mijatovic told reporters at the end of a five-day visit.

"Urgent measures are needed to address the desperate conditions in which thousands of human beings are living. What we see in practice is telling me that human rights are not respected. This is an unacceptable situation," she said.

With parliament scheduled to approve a tougher new migration law later Thursday, the government has said it has some 75,000 asylum requests to process.&nbsp;

Mijatovic said there are an estimated 100,000 refugees and migrants in the country.

Despite regular relocations to the mainland, there are over 34,000 people living in overcrowded Greek island camps.&nbsp;

The government has pledged to move 20,000 of them to camps on the mainland before the end of the year.

'Struggle for survival'

Mijatovic, who visited camps on the islands of Lesbos and Samos and in Corinth, said she was "appalled" by the unhygienic conditions in which asylum-seekers live on the islands.

"There is a crying lack of medical care and sanitation in the vastly overcrowded camps I have visited. People queue for hours to get food and to go to bathrooms when they exist," she said.

"On Samos, families are chipping away rocks to make some space on steep hillsides to set up their makeshift shelters, often made by trees they cut themselves. This no longer has anything to do with the reception of asylum seekers. This has become a struggle for survival."

Mijatovic urged Greek authorities to accelerate transfers out of the islands and boost local hospitals which are currently unable to handle the strain.

She also called on other EU states to help in more ways than just financially, by accepting more asylum-seekers, particularly unaccompanied minors who now number over 4,000.

"The solidarity Greece needs is not there… I'm talking about real actions, other European countries taking the responsibility as well," she said.

"People are suffering tremendously. It's not something I can continue watching without raising my voice...what I can assess is that there is not enough political will" among "certain" other EU states, the commissioner said.

"In a way, we are failing to show that Europe is still a place where human rights are respected. It's not just Greece."

In her home country of Bosnia, there are some 10,000 asylum-seekers in a camp near a minefield, Mijatovic said.

Greece's new conservative government, which took over in July, has vowed to tighten asylum rules, step up naval patrols to deter migrant boats and to send 10,000 people back to Turkey next year.

There have been clashes between different migrant groups and between migrants and the police.&nbsp;

The Greek parliament on Thursday is to adopt a new migration law enshrining the policy changes, but Mijatovic says the draft she saw "raises concerns from a human rights perspective."

Human rights groups have also criticised the bill, saying it introduces stricter rules for receiving asylum seekers, delays access to the right to work, narrows the definition of family, and imposes more burdens on torture victims in being recognised as such.

The situation for migrants in camps on Greek islands is "explosive" and "on the edge of catastrophe", the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday.

The situation for migrants in camps on Greek islands is "explosive" and "on the edge of catastrophe", the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday. Greece has once again become the main point of entry for people seeking asylum in Europe and it is struggling to accommodate them despite the availability of EU funds. "The situation of migrants, including asylum seekers, in the Greek Aegean islands, has dramatically worsened over the past 12 months," Dunja Mijatovic told reporters at the end of a five-day visit. "Urgent measures are needed to address the desperate conditions in which thousands of human beings are living. What we see in practice is telling me that human rights are not respected. This is an unacceptable situation," she said. With parliament scheduled to approve a tougher new migration law later Thursday, the government has said it has some 75,000 asylum requests to process. Mijatovic said there are an estimated 100,000 refugees and migrants in the country. Despite regular relocations to the mainland, there are over 34,000 people living in overcrowded Greek island camps. The government has pledged to move 20,000 of them to camps on the mainland before the end of the year. 'Struggle for survival' Mijatovic, who visited camps on the islands of Lesbos and Samos and in Corinth, said she was "appalled" by the unhygienic conditions in which asylum-seekers live on the islands. "There is a crying lack of medical care and sanitation in the vastly overcrowded camps I have visited. People queue for hours to get food and to go to bathrooms when they exist," she said. "On Samos, families are chipping away rocks to make some space on steep hillsides to set up their makeshift shelters, often made by trees they cut themselves. This no longer has anything to do with the reception of asylum seekers. This has become a struggle for survival." Mijatovic urged Greek authorities to accelerate transfers out of the islands and boost local hospitals which are currently unable to handle the strain. She also called on other EU states to help in more ways than just financially, by accepting more asylum-seekers, particularly unaccompanied minors who now number over 4,000. "The solidarity Greece needs is not there… I'm talking about real actions, other European countries taking the responsibility as well," she said. "People are suffering tremendously. It's not something I can continue watching without raising my voice...what I can assess is that there is not enough political will" among "certain" other EU states, the commissioner said. "In a way, we are failing to show that Europe is still a place where human rights are respected. It's not just Greece." In her home country of Bosnia, there are some 10,000 asylum-seekers in a camp near a minefield, Mijatovic said. Greece's new conservative government, which took over in July, has vowed to tighten asylum rules, step up naval patrols to deter migrant boats and to send 10,000 people back to Turkey next year. There have been clashes between different migrant groups and between migrants and the police. The Greek parliament on Thursday is to adopt a new migration law enshrining the policy changes, but Mijatovic says the draft she saw "raises concerns from a human rights perspective." Human rights groups have also criticised the bill, saying it introduces stricter rules for receiving asylum seekers, delays access to the right to work, narrows the definition of family, and imposes more burdens on torture victims in being recognised as such.

Migrants on Greek islands 'on edge of catastrophe': Council of Europe

Greece will keep moving asylum seekers from overcrowded camps on its islands to the mainland, government officials said on Monday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/riots-at-greek-migrant-camp-after-two-die-in-a-fire-252708">after a woman died</a> following clashes and a fire at a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos.

The violent clashes began at the Moria refugee camp on Sunday after a fire broke out inside a shipping container, one of the means Greek authorities use to house refugees. At least 17 people were hurt.

The migrant camp, the country's biggest, is operating at almost four times its capacity.

The charred remains of a woman were taken to hospital, the health ministry said in a statement. Reports of a second victim remained unconfirmed, officials said, adding that the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Eleftherios Oikonomou told reporters that 250 people would be transferred from Moria to the mainland by the end of Monday.

The issue would be discussed during a cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister, a government official said.

About 12,000 migrants and refugees are holed up in Moria camp, a collection of tents and shipping containers, according to data released by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-unhcr-to-survey-rohingya-regarding-return-to-myanmar-244201">United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees</a> (UNHCR), the U.N. refugee agency. The government aims to move at least 3,000 people from its islands to the mainland by the end of October, the official said.

Moving asylum seekers from island camps to the mainland is not a new policy. It was announced by the conservative government last month as part of measures intended to deal with a resurgence in refugee and migrant flows from neighbouring Turkey.

More than 9,000 people arrived <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asylum-seekers-and-locals-clash-on-greek-island-of-lesbos-over-migrant-crisis-132304">in Greece</a> in August, the highest number in the three years since the European Union and Ankara implemented a deal to shut off the Aegean migrant route. More than 8,000 people have arrived in September, according to the UNHCR.

Nearly a million refugees, many of them fleeing war in Syria, crossed from Turkey to Greece's eastern Aegean islands in 2015. Human rights groups have long criticised the poor conditions at the refugee camps.

Greece will keep moving asylum seekers from overcrowded camps on its islands to the mainland, government officials said on Monday, after a woman died following clashes and a fire at a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos.

Greece will keep moving asylum seekers from overcrowded camps on its islands to the mainland, government officials said on Monday, after a woman died following clashes and a fire at a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos. The violent clashes began at the Moria refugee camp on Sunday after a fire broke out inside a shipping container, one of the means Greek authorities use to house refugees. At least 17 people were hurt. The migrant camp, the country's biggest, is operating at almost four times its capacity. The charred remains of a woman were taken to hospital, the health ministry said in a statement. Reports of a second victim remained unconfirmed, officials said, adding that the cause of the fire was under investigation. Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Eleftherios Oikonomou told reporters that 250 people would be transferred from Moria to the mainland by the end of Monday. The issue would be discussed during a cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister, a government official said. About 12,000 migrants and refugees are holed up in Moria camp, a collection of tents and shipping containers, according to data released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.N. refugee agency. The government aims to move at least 3,000 people from its islands to the mainland by the end of October, the official said. Moving asylum seekers from island camps to the mainland is not a new policy. It was announced by the conservative government last month as part of measures intended to deal with a resurgence in refugee and migrant flows from neighbouring Turkey. More than 9,000 people arrived in Greece in August, the highest number in the three years since the European Union and Ankara implemented a deal to shut off the Aegean migrant route. More than 8,000 people have arrived in September, according to the UNHCR. Nearly a million refugees, many of them fleeing war in Syria, crossed from Turkey to Greece's eastern Aegean islands in 2015. Human rights groups have long criticised the poor conditions at the refugee camps.

Greece steps up migrant transfers after Lesbos clashes

A large&nbsp;wildfire&nbsp;fanned by strong winds burned tracts of pine forest on the&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;of&nbsp;Evia, firefighters said on Tuesday, with evacuation ordered of two villages in the path of the flames.&nbsp;

Wildfires raged uncontrolled in at least four other&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;regions, and the fire brigade said it had been called to put out 182 fires in the last three days.

More than 227 firemen, aided by five helicopters and six other aircraft, were battling the blaze on&nbsp;Evia, Greece's second-largest&nbsp;island, where a monastery had already been evacuated.

It generated thick&nbsp;smoke&nbsp;that blanketed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-51-magnitude-earthquake-shakes-athens-knocks-out-phone-service-237149">the capital,&nbsp;Athens</a>, some 110 kilometres away.

The villages of Kontodespoti and Makrimalli were being evacuated protectively, a fire brigade official said.

Greek&nbsp;TV showed thick, dark&nbsp;smoke&nbsp;blanketing the area with ash falling kilometres away, blown by strong winds.

A local mayor told state TV ERT the&nbsp;wildfire&nbsp;had reached home gardens at Kontodespoti.

No fatalities had been reported and the winds were expected to subside in the evening.

Greece often faces&nbsp;wildfires during its dry summer months, and authorities have warned of the high risk of blazes this week.&nbsp;

Environmental campaigners see increased&nbsp;wildfires around the world as a worrying symptom of global warming.

Last year, a&nbsp;wildfire&nbsp;killed 100 people in the seaside town of Mati near&nbsp;Athens, and in 2007 fires killed 65, scorched thousands of hectares of forest and farmland and threatened archaeological sites.

A large wildfire fanned by strong winds burned tracts of pine forest on the Greek of Evia, firefighters said on Tuesday, with evacuation ordered of two villages in the path of the flames.

A large wildfire fanned by strong winds burned tracts of pine forest on the Greek of Evia, firefighters said on Tuesday, with evacuation ordered of two villages in the path of the flames. Wildfires raged uncontrolled in at least four other Greek regions, and the fire brigade said it had been called to put out 182 fires in the last three days. More than 227 firemen, aided by five helicopters and six other aircraft, were battling the blaze on Evia, Greece's second-largest island, where a monastery had already been evacuated. It generated thick smoke that blanketed the capital, Athens, some 110 kilometres away. The villages of Kontodespoti and Makrimalli were being evacuated protectively, a fire brigade official said. Greek TV showed thick, dark smoke blanketing the area with ash falling kilometres away, blown by strong winds. A local mayor told state TV ERT the wildfire had reached home gardens at Kontodespoti. No fatalities had been reported and the winds were expected to subside in the evening. Greece often faces wildfires during its dry summer months, and authorities have warned of the high risk of blazes this week. Environmental campaigners see increased wildfires around the world as a worrying symptom of global warming. Last year, a wildfire killed 100 people in the seaside town of Mati near Athens, and in 2007 fires killed 65, scorched thousands of hectares of forest and farmland and threatened archaeological sites.

Wildfire rages on Greek island Evia, smoke reaches Athens

Greek conservative party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis swept to power on Sunday in a landslide victory amidst a climate of austerity reform fatigue and bitterness towards unkept political promises of the previous government.

Conservative party leader takes reigns of power in Greece

Greece's incoming prime minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-polls-opposition-leader-kyriakos-mitsotakis-wins-vows-to-make-country-proud-233849">Kyriakos Mitsotakis</a> is a hard-nosed reformer from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-conservatives-take-strong-lead-in-exit-poll-233844">conservative political dynasty</a> with controversial civil service job cuts on his resume.

Three years after taking over the leadership of the conservative New Democracy party once headed by his father, the 51-year-old Harvard graduate and former McKinsey consultant have promised to "steamroll" obstacles to business.

"The people must entrust the helm of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polls-open-in-greeces-first-post-bailout-general-election-233710">Greece</a> to a strong hand," he said on the campaign trail.

And on election night after winning a landslide victory, he vowed that Greece would "proudly" enter a post-bailout period of "jobs, security, and growth".

"A painful cycle has closed," Mitsotakis said in a televised address, adding that Greece would "proudly raise its head again" on his watch

His critics argue that his pro-business platform and promised tax cuts can only credibly come at the expense of social benefits to crisis-hit families.

In his sole ministerial stint in charge of administrative reform in 2014, he was tasked with eliminating 15,000 civil service posts under pressure from Greece's creditors.

The downsising was cut short by-elections, but Mitsotakis's tag as a hatchet man has endured.

During the campaign, Mitsotakis told AFP his priority would be to "restart" the economy.

"Greece will restore ambitious growth driven by private investments, exports, and innovation. All our energy is focused in that direction."

He also wants to renegotiate Greece's tight fiscal targets in talks with the country's international creditors.

"If we present a comprehensive reforms package, (the creditors) will be open to a discussion that will gradually lower Greece's primary surpluses, which everybody acknowledges are too high," he says.&nbsp;

"And it will benefit both Europeans and the Greek economy," he adds.

Outgoing PM Alexis Tsipras has warned that his successor would unleash "Armageddon" on workers.

"When Mitsotakis says reforms... it entails human blood... he has personally fired thousands," Tsipras told CNN Greece on June 22.

"The (2012-2015) government he was part of wiped out the middle class," he said.

Fearful of alienating Greek civil servants and their families who account for a hefty percentage of the electorate Mitsotakis has been forced to publicly abjure further civil servant layoffs.

"No civil servants will be fired... but this does not mean we will be taking on more than we need... I will not tolerate pointless hirings," he told Star TV in June.

'Judge me not by my name'&nbsp;

Mitsotakis has long struggled to shake off his elitist image.&nbsp;

In a country with a long tradition of nepotism, Mitsotakis swears by meritocracy and has vowed not to put any relatives in his cabinet.

But few people in Greece have a pedigree as exclusive as his.

He is the son of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, one of the country's longest-serving parliamentarians. His sister is former minister Dora Bakoyannis, Athens' first female mayor. And new Athens mayor Costas Bakoyannis, elected in May, is his nephew.

Since 2016, when he ran as a candidate for the leadership of New Democracy, Mitsotakis has consistently fought to distance himself from his status as a member of Greece's leading political dynasty and he considers himself a "maverick". "Judge me by my CV, not by my name," he insists.

Far-right transfers&nbsp;

Mitsotakis has sought to modernize the party, casting a wide net for candidates under the age of 40 and pledging to govern with people of "my generation or younger."

But leftist critics say Mitsotakis has turned New Democracy into a "hybrid" of nationalism and extreme neoliberalism in an unholy alliance to keep internal party balances intact.

Immediately after his election in 2016, the new leader raised eyebrows by naming Adonis Georgiadis, a recent transfer from the far-right LAOS party, as deputy chairman.

A firebrand TV book salesman, Georgiadis publicly apologized in 2017 for energetically promoting an anti-Semitic tome on his shows as "dynamite" and "my favourite book."

Another recently-arrived LAOS cadre who once headed a pro-Greek junta youth group, the lawyer Makis Voridis, was named shadow interior minister by Mitsotakis.

Before joining LAOS, Voridis had headed the Hellenic Front, a short-lived party with close links to the far-right National Front party in France.

Mitsotakis is given credit for restoring the fortunes of New Democracy, a demoralised party that had lost three successive elections to the charismatic Tsipras in the last five years.

"Citizens put their trust in us not only for our basic promises, to reduce taxes and to create good jobs and security for all, but for a different ethos and style of power," Mitsotakis said after winning European Parliament elections in May by a margin of nearly 9.5 points.&nbsp;

A basketball lover, Mitsotakis has three children with Mareva Grabowski, a co-founder of luxury clothes label Zeus+Dione.&nbsp;

Greece's incoming prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a hard-nosed reformer from a conservative political dynasty with controversial civil service job cuts on his resume.

Greece's incoming prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a hard-nosed reformer from a conservative political dynasty with controversial civil service job cuts on his resume. Three years after taking over the leadership of the conservative New Democracy party once headed by his father, the 51-year-old Harvard graduate and former McKinsey consultant have promised to "steamroll" obstacles to business. "The people must entrust the helm of Greece to a strong hand," he said on the campaign trail. And on election night after winning a landslide victory, he vowed that Greece would "proudly" enter a post-bailout period of "jobs, security, and growth". "A painful cycle has closed," Mitsotakis said in a televised address, adding that Greece would "proudly raise its head again" on his watch His critics argue that his pro-business platform and promised tax cuts can only credibly come at the expense of social benefits to crisis-hit families. In his sole ministerial stint in charge of administrative reform in 2014, he was tasked with eliminating 15,000 civil service posts under pressure from Greece's creditors. The downsising was cut short by-elections, but Mitsotakis's tag as a hatchet man has endured. During the campaign, Mitsotakis told AFP his priority would be to "restart" the economy. "Greece will restore ambitious growth driven by private investments, exports, and innovation. All our energy is focused in that direction." He also wants to renegotiate Greece's tight fiscal targets in talks with the country's international creditors. "If we present a comprehensive reforms package, (the creditors) will be open to a discussion that will gradually lower Greece's primary surpluses, which everybody acknowledges are too high," he says. "And it will benefit both Europeans and the Greek economy," he adds. Outgoing PM Alexis Tsipras has warned that his successor would unleash "Armageddon" on workers. "When Mitsotakis says reforms... it entails human blood... he has personally fired thousands," Tsipras told CNN Greece on June 22. "The (2012-2015) government he was part of wiped out the middle class," he said. Fearful of alienating Greek civil servants and their families who account for a hefty percentage of the electorate Mitsotakis has been forced to publicly abjure further civil servant layoffs. "No civil servants will be fired... but this does not mean we will be taking on more than we need... I will not tolerate pointless hirings," he told Star TV in June. 'Judge me not by my name' Mitsotakis has long struggled to shake off his elitist image. In a country with a long tradition of nepotism, Mitsotakis swears by meritocracy and has vowed not to put any relatives in his cabinet. But few people in Greece have a pedigree as exclusive as his. He is the son of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, one of the country's longest-serving parliamentarians. His sister is former minister Dora Bakoyannis, Athens' first female mayor. And new Athens mayor Costas Bakoyannis, elected in May, is his nephew. Since 2016, when he ran as a candidate for the leadership of New Democracy, Mitsotakis has consistently fought to distance himself from his status as a member of Greece's leading political dynasty and he considers himself a "maverick". "Judge me by my CV, not by my name," he insists. Far-right transfers Mitsotakis has sought to modernize the party, casting a wide net for candidates under the age of 40 and pledging to govern with people of "my generation or younger." But leftist critics say Mitsotakis has turned New Democracy into a "hybrid" of nationalism and extreme neoliberalism in an unholy alliance to keep internal party balances intact. Immediately after his election in 2016, the new leader raised eyebrows by naming Adonis Georgiadis, a recent transfer from the far-right LAOS party, as deputy chairman. A firebrand TV book salesman, Georgiadis publicly apologized in 2017 for energetically promoting an anti-Semitic tome on his shows as "dynamite" and "my favourite book." Another recently-arrived LAOS cadre who once headed a pro-Greek junta youth group, the lawyer Makis Voridis, was named shadow interior minister by Mitsotakis. Before joining LAOS, Voridis had headed the Hellenic Front, a short-lived party with close links to the far-right National Front party in France. Mitsotakis is given credit for restoring the fortunes of New Democracy, a demoralised party that had lost three successive elections to the charismatic Tsipras in the last five years. "Citizens put their trust in us not only for our basic promises, to reduce taxes and to create good jobs and security for all, but for a different ethos and style of power," Mitsotakis said after winning European Parliament elections in May by a margin of nearly 9.5 points. A basketball lover, Mitsotakis has three children with Mareva Grabowski, a co-founder of luxury clothes label Zeus+Dione.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece's pro-business 'steamroller'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-polls-opposition-leader-kyriakos-mitsotakis-wins-vows-to-make-country-proud-233849">Greece's new prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis</a>, formally takes up the reins Monday, a day after an election victory that puts him in charge of the EU's most indebted member with promises to end a decade of economic crisis.

The challenge facing the US-educated conservative is a hefty one as he takes over from defeated left-wing leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-conservatives-take-strong-lead-in-exit-poll-233844">Alexis Tsipras</a>, who imposed austerity measures required under a bailout to keep Greece in the eurozone.

The country's public debt last year stood at 335 billion euros ($376 billion), or 180 per cent of GDP.&nbsp;

The debt load is forecast to fall to 168 per cent of GDP this year, but only under belt-tightening brought in under Tsipras's Syriza party something that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-things-to-know-about-greeces-july-7-vote-233712">Mitsotakis's New Democracy party</a> says is stifling growth.

The tricky job of keeping Greece's international creditors onside while easing the hardship on Greeks by lowering taxes and renegotiating fiscal targets could result in a short honeymoon phase for Mitsotakis.

'Message for change'&nbsp;

The 51-year-old Harvard graduate and former McKinsey consultant have pledged to create jobs and get rid of obstacles to business.

Those pledges wooed Greek voters, who handed him 40 per cent of the votes in Sunday's election, well ahead of the 31.5 per cent given to Tsipras.

"It's a strong message for a change in Greece," Mitsotakis told the channel CNBC.

Last week he told AFP that he saw it as his mission "to make sure we restart the economy" with "ambitious growth driven by private investments, exports, and innovation".

He predicted that he could persuade Greece's creditors to accept the easing of tight fiscal targets if "a comprehensive reforms package" was presented.

Tsipras, for his part, warned that Mitsotakis would do away with the social spending he brought in to help Greece's vulnerable groups.

He portrayed the Mitsotakis family -- one of Greece's leading political dynasties -- as part of a failed system that bankrupted the country in 2010, which he blamed for the humiliating bailout.

Son of a PM&nbsp;

Mitsotakis is the son of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, one of the country's longest-serving parliamentarians. His sister Dora Bakoyannis is a former minister and Athens's first female mayor.&nbsp;

He took charge of the New Democrats three years ago. Following the election, his party will have a majority of 158 seats in the 300-member parliament.

New Democracy was last in power in 2014, in coalition with the Greek socialists.

Syriza's parliamentary presence will shrink from 144 seats to 86. Tsipras has promised to remain an "active" voice in opposition.

Sunday's election was Greece's third in as many months.

In May, New Democracy beat Syriza by nearly 9.5 points in European parliament elections. A week later, it completed a near-sweep of Greek regions in local elections. After that, Tsipras was forced to call an early general election.

"A painful cycle has closed," Mitsotakis said in a televised address immediately following his electoral victory, adding that Greece would "proudly raise its head again" on his watch. 
&nbsp;

Greece's new prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, formally takes up the reins Monday, a day after an election victory that puts him in charge of the EU's most indebted member with promises to end a decade of economic crisis.

Greece's new prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, formally takes up the reins Monday, a day after an election victory that puts him in charge of the EU's most indebted member with promises to end a decade of economic crisis. The challenge facing the US-educated conservative is a hefty one as he takes over from defeated left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras, who imposed austerity measures required under a bailout to keep Greece in the eurozone. The country's public debt last year stood at 335 billion euros ($376 billion), or 180 per cent of GDP. The debt load is forecast to fall to 168 per cent of GDP this year, but only under belt-tightening brought in under Tsipras's Syriza party something that Mitsotakis's New Democracy party says is stifling growth. The tricky job of keeping Greece's international creditors onside while easing the hardship on Greeks by lowering taxes and renegotiating fiscal targets could result in a short honeymoon phase for Mitsotakis. 'Message for change' The 51-year-old Harvard graduate and former McKinsey consultant have pledged to create jobs and get rid of obstacles to business. Those pledges wooed Greek voters, who handed him 40 per cent of the votes in Sunday's election, well ahead of the 31.5 per cent given to Tsipras. "It's a strong message for a change in Greece," Mitsotakis told the channel CNBC. Last week he told AFP that he saw it as his mission "to make sure we restart the economy" with "ambitious growth driven by private investments, exports, and innovation". He predicted that he could persuade Greece's creditors to accept the easing of tight fiscal targets if "a comprehensive reforms package" was presented. Tsipras, for his part, warned that Mitsotakis would do away with the social spending he brought in to help Greece's vulnerable groups. He portrayed the Mitsotakis family -- one of Greece's leading political dynasties -- as part of a failed system that bankrupted the country in 2010, which he blamed for the humiliating bailout. Son of a PM Mitsotakis is the son of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, one of the country's longest-serving parliamentarians. His sister Dora Bakoyannis is a former minister and Athens's first female mayor. He took charge of the New Democrats three years ago. Following the election, his party will have a majority of 158 seats in the 300-member parliament. New Democracy was last in power in 2014, in coalition with the Greek socialists. Syriza's parliamentary presence will shrink from 144 seats to 86. Tsipras has promised to remain an "active" voice in opposition. Sunday's election was Greece's third in as many months. In May, New Democracy beat Syriza by nearly 9.5 points in European parliament elections. A week later, it completed a near-sweep of Greek regions in local elections. After that, Tsipras was forced to call an early general election. "A painful cycle has closed," Mitsotakis said in a televised address immediately following his electoral victory, adding that Greece would "proudly raise its head again" on his watch.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis becomes Greece's new Prime Minister on vow to end economic crisis

A bomb blast early Monday damaged a building in Athens housing the headquarters of Greece's private radio and television network Skai, but there were no casualties, police said.

Anti-terrorist police opened an investigation into the attack that focused on Greek extremist groups.

Attacks targeting broadcasting groups, public companies or embassies have been frequent in Greece in recent years, and have been blamed on anarchist or far-left groups.

The coalition government led by leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras condemned the blast as &nbsp;"an attack on democracy".

The homemade device went off at around 2:30 am&nbsp;(0030 GMT), 45 minutes after an anonymous telephone warning to another TV network.

Police cordoned off the neighbourhood in the Athens suburb of Neo Phaliro and evacuated the building, which contains the offices of Skai, a group owned by the Alafouzos shipping family, as well as those of Kathimerini, a centre-right daily critical of the government.

Police said the bomb was placed near a fence around the building and smashed windows on the facade.

Skai said in a statement the blast caused "major damage".

"The terrorist attack will not discourage us..," it said, accusing the government of failing to do enough to protect the media despite "recurrent threats against the station."

The minister for civil protection, Olga Gerovassili, visited the site with police.

"The democracy is not threatened," she said, and warned those who "leave the way open to terrorism or fascism."

Last month a bomb was defused outside the Athens home of a controversial prosecutor.

A bomb blast early Monday damaged a building in Athens housing the headquarters of Greece's private radio and television network Skai, but there were no casualties, police said.

A bomb blast early Monday damaged a building in Athens housing the headquarters of Greece's private radio and television network Skai, but there were no casualties, police said. Anti-terrorist police opened an investigation into the attack that focused on Greek extremist groups. Attacks targeting broadcasting groups, public companies or embassies have been frequent in Greece in recent years, and have been blamed on anarchist or far-left groups. The coalition government led by leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras condemned the blast as "an attack on democracy". The homemade device went off at around 2:30 am (0030 GMT), 45 minutes after an anonymous telephone warning to another TV network. Police cordoned off the neighbourhood in the Athens suburb of Neo Phaliro and evacuated the building, which contains the offices of Skai, a group owned by the Alafouzos shipping family, as well as those of Kathimerini, a centre-right daily critical of the government. Police said the bomb was placed near a fence around the building and smashed windows on the facade. Skai said in a statement the blast caused "major damage". "The terrorist attack will not discourage us..," it said, accusing the government of failing to do enough to protect the media despite "recurrent threats against the station." The minister for civil protection, Olga Gerovassili, visited the site with police. "The democracy is not threatened," she said, and warned those who "leave the way open to terrorism or fascism." Last month a bomb was defused outside the Athens home of a controversial prosecutor.

Bomb blast at Athens headquarters of media group

Turkey warned energy companies on Sunday against working with the Greek Cypriot government in carrying out exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying such activities could damage regional stability.

The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government.

Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drilling this year. Ankara has diplomatic relations only with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that no other country recognises.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said exploratory drilling by Exxon Mobil in the eastern Mediterranean with permission from the Greek Cypriot government did not help regional stability and would "upset some sensitive balances".

"We renew our warnings to companies participating in the Greek Cypriots` one-sided exploration and drilling. We remind them that sharing the natural resources of the island of Cyprus relates to the core of the Cyprus issue," Aksoy said in a statement.

"In addition to our own continental shelf, we will start carrying out activities in areas where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has given (state-run oil company) Turk Petrolleri a license," he said.

Last month, Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had hounded a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring tension.

Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.

The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Turkey warned energy companies on Sunday against working with the Greek Cypriot government in carrying out exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying such activities could damage regional stability.

Turkey warned energy companies on Sunday against working with the Greek Cypriot government in carrying out exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying such activities could damage regional stability. The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drilling this year. Ankara has diplomatic relations only with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that no other country recognises. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said exploratory drilling by Exxon Mobil in the eastern Mediterranean with permission from the Greek Cypriot government did not help regional stability and would "upset some sensitive balances". "We renew our warnings to companies participating in the Greek Cypriots` one-sided exploration and drilling. We remind them that sharing the natural resources of the island of Cyprus relates to the core of the Cyprus issue," Aksoy said in a statement. "In addition to our own continental shelf, we will start carrying out activities in areas where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has given (state-run oil company) Turk Petrolleri a license," he said. Last month, Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had hounded a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring tension. Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Turkey warns companies against energy exploration with Greek Cypriot govt

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted the resignation of his foreign minister on Wednesday, Greece's first major political casualty in a crusade to end a decades-old name dispute with Macedonia.

Tsipras has said he will do whatever is required to ensure an agreement reached in June to rename the neighbouring country 'Republic of North Macedonia' gets implemented.

But the accord has faced opposition on both sides of the border, and Tsipras' Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Defence Minister Panos Kammenos clashed over it in cabinet on Tuesday. "They are both explosive characters," a witness told Reuters.

Kotzias, a strong supporter of the accord who was Greece's main negotiator in the talks that led to it, submitted his resignation on Wednesday.

Kammenos, whose small right-wing party is propping up Tsipras' fragile coalition government, views the deal as a national sell-out.

Warning against further dissent, the prime minister said he would take over the foreign affairs portfolio himself.

"It is a decision not to tolerate, from now on, any double-speak from anyone, or any personal agenda (against) ...the national line," he said in a televised statement, without elaborating.

Tsipras, whose left-wing Syriza party is trailing badly ahead of national elections due next year, is hoping a successful name change deal - a precondition for Greece to lift its veto on Macedonia joining the EU and NATO - will help boost his political standing abroad.

The June accord delighted the west in a region where it jostles for influence with Moscow. Two Russian diplomats were expelled from Greece that same month under Kotzias's watch, accused of trying to foment opposition to the deal.

Greece has insisted on the change because it views the name 'Macedonia' as implying a territorial claim on a northern Greek region of that name.

But the accord is still far from settled.

It is awaiting approval from both countries' parliaments and, though Macedonians backed the name changed in a referendum last month, just 37 percent turned out to vote - too few for the result to be valid.

Kammenos has threatened to quit the coalition if it is put before parliament.

During Tuesday's fractious cabinet meeting, Tsipras asked his ministers to put their difference aside and back him if a no confidence vote was called by the main opposition.

In a colourful tweet following his resignation, Kotzias spouted poetry. "They wanted to bury me deep, but forgot I was a seed."

Earlier on Wednesday, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos compared the government to a train that had a clear direction and would reach its destination. "If anyone ...feels frustrated, he can just get off."

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted the resignation of his foreign minister on Wednesday, Greece's first major political casualty in a crusade to end a decades-old name dispute with Macedonia.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted the resignation of his foreign minister on Wednesday, Greece's first major political casualty in a crusade to end a decades-old name dispute with Macedonia. Tsipras has said he will do whatever is required to ensure an agreement reached in June to rename the neighbouring country 'Republic of North Macedonia' gets implemented. But the accord has faced opposition on both sides of the border, and Tsipras' Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Defence Minister Panos Kammenos clashed over it in cabinet on Tuesday. "They are both explosive characters," a witness told Reuters. Kotzias, a strong supporter of the accord who was Greece's main negotiator in the talks that led to it, submitted his resignation on Wednesday. Kammenos, whose small right-wing party is propping up Tsipras' fragile coalition government, views the deal as a national sell-out. Warning against further dissent, the prime minister said he would take over the foreign affairs portfolio himself. "It is a decision not to tolerate, from now on, any double-speak from anyone, or any personal agenda (against) ...the national line," he said in a televised statement, without elaborating. Tsipras, whose left-wing Syriza party is trailing badly ahead of national elections due next year, is hoping a successful name change deal - a precondition for Greece to lift its veto on Macedonia joining the EU and NATO - will help boost his political standing abroad. The June accord delighted the west in a region where it jostles for influence with Moscow. Two Russian diplomats were expelled from Greece that same month under Kotzias's watch, accused of trying to foment opposition to the deal. Greece has insisted on the change because it views the name 'Macedonia' as implying a territorial claim on a northern Greek region of that name. But the accord is still far from settled. It is awaiting approval from both countries' parliaments and, though Macedonians backed the name changed in a referendum last month, just 37 percent turned out to vote - too few for the result to be valid. Kammenos has threatened to quit the coalition if it is put before parliament. During Tuesday's fractious cabinet meeting, Tsipras asked his ministers to put their difference aside and back him if a no confidence vote was called by the main opposition. In a colourful tweet following his resignation, Kotzias spouted poetry. "They wanted to bury me deep, but forgot I was a seed." Earlier on Wednesday, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos compared the government to a train that had a clear direction and would reach its destination. "If anyone ...feels frustrated, he can just get off."

Greek foreign minister quits in Macedonia name row

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was accused&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;of surrendering part of his nation's identity, as a deal he struck to settle a name dispute with Macedonia prompted a barrage of criticism from opposition politicians and media.

Under the agreement announced by Athens and Skopje&nbsp;on Tuesday, the Balkan state known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" would henceforth be called the "Republic of Northern Macedonia".

The accord would open the way for the small nation's eventual membership of the European Union and NATO, currently blocked by Greece's objections to its current name.

But conservative opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis called it "deeply problematic", because the majority of Greeks were against it and Tsipras lacked the political legitimacy to sign it.

"We are in a situation that is unprecedented in Greece's constitutional history. A prime minister without a clear parliamentary mandate willing to commit the country to a reality which will not be possible to change," Mitsotakis said.

The accord requires ratification by both countries' parliaments, and the junior partner in Greece's coalition, the right wing Independent Greeks party, has said it does not back any deal that gives away the name Macedonia.

That chimes in with the view of many ordinary Greeks, who feel the name implies territorial claims on a northern Greek province of the same name, the birthplace of national hero Alexander the Great.

The name dispute has soured bilateral relations since 1991, when Greece's northern neighbour declared its independence from former Yugoslavia under the name Republic of Macedonia.

In a front-page editorial conservative daily Eleftheros Typos called the agreement "the surrender of the Macedonian identity and language," while centre-right Kathimerini referred to "a deal with gaps and question marks".

Responding to the conservatives, Deputy Foreign Minister George Katrougkalos said the deal would put an end to the perpetuation of the name Macedonia as an identifier for the Balkan state.

"If they believe this (that the government does not have the legitimacy), they have the means ... to question it with a no-confidence motion. Why aren't they doing it?" Katrougkalos told Greek Skai TV.

Centre-left daily Ta Nea newspaper said that, while the historian of the future would have the luxury of time to assess the deal, "until then one must keep in mind that there are no compromises without concessions."

Activist group The Committee for The Hellenic Identity of Macedonia said it would organise protests in Athens and northern Greece if the deal went ahead and urged lawmakers not to ratify it.

"We peacefully assert that they have no right to sign (a deal) against Greek people's will," they wrote on Facebook.

Mikis Theodorakis, who composed the music to the film 'Zorba the Greek', said the agreement would "stigmatise us forever" if it went ahead.

'We peacefully assert that they have no right to sign (a deal) against Greek people's will,' they wrote on Facebook

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was accused on Wednesday of surrendering part of his nation's identity, as a deal he struck to settle a name dispute with Macedonia prompted a barrage of criticism from opposition politicians and media. Under the agreement announced by Athens and Skopje on Tuesday, the Balkan state known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" would henceforth be called the "Republic of Northern Macedonia". The accord would open the way for the small nation's eventual membership of the European Union and NATO, currently blocked by Greece's objections to its current name. But conservative opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis called it "deeply problematic", because the majority of Greeks were against it and Tsipras lacked the political legitimacy to sign it. "We are in a situation that is unprecedented in Greece's constitutional history. A prime minister without a clear parliamentary mandate willing to commit the country to a reality which will not be possible to change," Mitsotakis said. The accord requires ratification by both countries' parliaments, and the junior partner in Greece's coalition, the right wing Independent Greeks party, has said it does not back any deal that gives away the name Macedonia. That chimes in with the view of many ordinary Greeks, who feel the name implies territorial claims on a northern Greek province of the same name, the birthplace of national hero Alexander the Great. The name dispute has soured bilateral relations since 1991, when Greece's northern neighbour declared its independence from former Yugoslavia under the name Republic of Macedonia. In a front-page editorial conservative daily Eleftheros Typos called the agreement "the surrender of the Macedonian identity and language," while centre-right Kathimerini referred to "a deal with gaps and question marks". Responding to the conservatives, Deputy Foreign Minister George Katrougkalos said the deal would put an end to the perpetuation of the name Macedonia as an identifier for the Balkan state. "If they believe this (that the government does not have the legitimacy), they have the means ... to question it with a no-confidence motion. Why aren't they doing it?" Katrougkalos told Greek Skai TV. Centre-left daily Ta Nea newspaper said that, while the historian of the future would have the luxury of time to assess the deal, "until then one must keep in mind that there are no compromises without concessions." Activist group The Committee for The Hellenic Identity of Macedonia said it would organise protests in Athens and northern Greece if the deal went ahead and urged lawmakers not to ratify it. "We peacefully assert that they have no right to sign (a deal) against Greek people's will," they wrote on Facebook. Mikis Theodorakis, who composed the music to the film 'Zorba the Greek', said the agreement would "stigmatise us forever" if it went ahead.

Greek PM faces domestic backlash over Macedonia name deal

A Greek appeals court on Friday rejected a Turkish demand for the handover of eight Turkish soldiers accused by Ankara of having played a direct role in the abortive coup against President Tayyip Erdogan in 2016.

It was the third extradition request Greek courts have refused, an issue which has further strained relations between the long uneasy NATO allies. The Greek court said it had concerns the eight would not face a fair trial in Turkey.

The group fled to Greece in a helicopter on July 16, 2016, as the coup attempt against Erdogan crumbled. Turkey says they are traitors and coup plotters.

In a unanimous decision, the Athens-based Court of Appeal rejected Turkey&#39;s extradition request, filed on the basis of eight charges the soldiers face in their country.

Those charges included involvement in the coup, attempted murder, participation in an armed terrorist group, military desertion and theft of military material.

In its verdict, the court said the charges were vague and had introduced no new elements to materially sway earlier verdicts.

&quot;In each case, there are valid concerns about an unfair trial, and the risk of facing torture and humiliating behaviour,&quot; a court official said, citing the verdict.

The decision can be appealed.

It was the third extradition request Greek courts have refused

A Greek appeals court on Friday rejected a Turkish demand for the handover of eight Turkish soldiers accused by Ankara of having played a direct role in the abortive coup against President Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. It was the third extradition request Greek courts have refused, an issue which has further strained relations between the long uneasy NATO allies. The Greek court said it had concerns the eight would not face a fair trial in Turkey. The group fled to Greece in a helicopter on July 16, 2016, as the coup attempt against Erdogan crumbled. Turkey says they are traitors and coup plotters. In a unanimous decision, the Athens-based Court of Appeal rejected Turkey's extradition request, filed on the basis of eight charges the soldiers face in their country. Those charges included involvement in the coup, attempted murder, participation in an armed terrorist group, military desertion and theft of military material. In its verdict, the court said the charges were vague and had introduced no new elements to materially sway earlier verdicts. "In each case, there are valid concerns about an unfair trial, and the risk of facing torture and humiliating behaviour," a court official said, citing the verdict. The decision can be appealed.

Greek court rejects Turkey's request for extradition of eight soldiers

Call it the law of unintended consequences. A measure to save Greece from the abyss of a default and crashing out of the eurozone now holds its economy in a stranglehold, preventing its recovery. 
 
Cast back a year: the standoff between the Greek government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the EU and IMF over the terms of a new rescue plan for the country was reaching breaking point. 
 
The talks on a third bailout had been going nowhere since Tsipras took power in January after sweeping elections on an anti-austerity platform, and the EU and IMF warned the country&#39;s place in the eurozone was at risk if it didn&#39;t accept more spending cuts and tax hikes. 
 
Meanwhile, Greeks had been taking out more and more of their savings out of banks, with 20 per cent gone when during the night of June 26 to 27 Tsipras shocked the world by announcing he would put the bailout conditions to a referendum vote. 
 
In order to prevent a run on banks, Greece imposed capital controls, limiting cash withdrawals to 420 Euros ($465) per week. 
 
The restriction is still in place, and it&#39;s having a long-term impact on the economy. 
 
Consumption was down 1.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2015, even though prices have been falling in Greece. 
 
Overall, the Greek economy, which had begun growing again at the end of 2014, shrank by 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2016. 
 
&#39;Who has 420 Euros?&#39; 
 
For many Greeks, the 420-Euro weekly limit was not too much of a brake on spending as they had already been progressively tightening their belts since Greece&#39;s first 110-billion-Euro international bailout in 2010. 
 
&quot;Families have cut their expenses so much these past years of the crisis that it didn&#39;t really create a problem ... who now has more than 420 Euros per week to spend?&quot; said Dimitris Sotiropoulos, a draftsman and father of three children. 
 
However, the impact has been greater on businesses, as trade figures show: imports plunged by 12.8 per cent and exports by 11.7 per cent. 
 
The controls, which hampered the ability to import goods and conduct business abroad, added to the &quot;tax pressure and collapse of the social security system&quot; of recent years, said Thanassis Kalabalikis, president of the Athens manufacturers&#39; federation. 
 
&quot;Small entrepreneurs, who before the crisis were the backbone of the Greek economy, had already taken a blow from seven years of recession, and capital controls just added to the sluggishness,&quot; he said. 
 
Some 26,000 Greek businesses of all sizes have shut their doors since capital controls were introduced. 
 
For Panayiotis Petrakis, an economics professor at the University of Athens, &quot;limitations on the free flow of capital and the lack of liquidity are preventing the recovery of the economy and don&#39;t encourage confidence among investors.&quot; 
 
Greece finally clinched the 86-billion-Euro bailout at the end of July, helping to bring back a certain amount of economic stability, including by a recapitalisation of its battered banks at the end of the year. 
 
Low prices, black market 
 
The Greek government has relaxed the capital controls in recent months, in particular allowing higher withdrawals on funds returned from abroad. 
 
A commission is also in place to examine requests from businesses and individuals for transactions above transfer limits. 
 
However, experts worry that capital controls could remain in place to the end of the year, or even to mid-2017, given the experience of fellow Eurozone member Cyprus which took two years to lift capital controls it imposed during the height of its crisis in 2013. 
 
Louka Katseli, a former economy minister who now is the board chairwoman at the private lender National Bank of Greece, is among those who believes the capital controls will be lifted later rather than sooner. 
 
For that, she believes that three conditions need to be met: there are effective incentives for funds to return to the country, the problem of dodgy loans on bank balance sheets has been resolved, and most importantly Greece that receives a positive evaluation from its international creditors in a review later this year. 
 
The only advantage of the capital controls has been to encourage Greeks to use other means of payments when they can: bank transfers and card payments inside the country were not restricted. 
 
That would help reduce problematic tax evasion, if more Greek businesses install card terminals. 
 
&quot;People have adapted but not businesses, as the installation of card terminals has been a headache, because in addition to many bank commissions many indebted companies are in such a terrible state they don&#39;t have the right to install them,&quot; said Kalabalikis. 
 
The result has been, according to Sotiropoulos, that &quot;prices have fallen even more and fostered the black market&quot; as businesses are inclined &quot;to offer considerable discounts to get sales by not issuing a receipt and dodging the tax payments&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

To prevent a run on banks Greece limited cash withdrawals to 420 Euros per week, which is having a long-term impact on the economy

Call it the law of unintended consequences. A measure to save Greece from the abyss of a default and crashing out of the eurozone now holds its economy in a stranglehold, preventing its recovery. Cast back a year: the standoff between the Greek government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the EU and IMF over the terms of a new rescue plan for the country was reaching breaking point. The talks on a third bailout had been going nowhere since Tsipras took power in January after sweeping elections on an anti-austerity platform, and the EU and IMF warned the country's place in the eurozone was at risk if it didn't accept more spending cuts and tax hikes. Meanwhile, Greeks had been taking out more and more of their savings out of banks, with 20 per cent gone when during the night of June 26 to 27 Tsipras shocked the world by announcing he would put the bailout conditions to a referendum vote. In order to prevent a run on banks, Greece imposed capital controls, limiting cash withdrawals to 420 Euros ($465) per week. The restriction is still in place, and it's having a long-term impact on the economy. Consumption was down 1.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2015, even though prices have been falling in Greece. Overall, the Greek economy, which had begun growing again at the end of 2014, shrank by 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2016. 'Who has 420 Euros?' For many Greeks, the 420-Euro weekly limit was not too much of a brake on spending as they had already been progressively tightening their belts since Greece's first 110-billion-Euro international bailout in 2010. "Families have cut their expenses so much these past years of the crisis that it didn't really create a problem ... who now has more than 420 Euros per week to spend?" said Dimitris Sotiropoulos, a draftsman and father of three children. However, the impact has been greater on businesses, as trade figures show: imports plunged by 12.8 per cent and exports by 11.7 per cent. The controls, which hampered the ability to import goods and conduct business abroad, added to the "tax pressure and collapse of the social security system" of recent years, said Thanassis Kalabalikis, president of the Athens manufacturers' federation. "Small entrepreneurs, who before the crisis were the backbone of the Greek economy, had already taken a blow from seven years of recession, and capital controls just added to the sluggishness," he said. Some 26,000 Greek businesses of all sizes have shut their doors since capital controls were introduced. For Panayiotis Petrakis, an economics professor at the University of Athens, "limitations on the free flow of capital and the lack of liquidity are preventing the recovery of the economy and don't encourage confidence among investors." Greece finally clinched the 86-billion-Euro bailout at the end of July, helping to bring back a certain amount of economic stability, including by a recapitalisation of its battered banks at the end of the year. Low prices, black market The Greek government has relaxed the capital controls in recent months, in particular allowing higher withdrawals on funds returned from abroad. A commission is also in place to examine requests from businesses and individuals for transactions above transfer limits. However, experts worry that capital controls could remain in place to the end of the year, or even to mid-2017, given the experience of fellow Eurozone member Cyprus which took two years to lift capital controls it imposed during the height of its crisis in 2013. Louka Katseli, a former economy minister who now is the board chairwoman at the private lender National Bank of Greece, is among those who believes the capital controls will be lifted later rather than sooner. For that, she believes that three conditions need to be met: there are effective incentives for funds to return to the country, the problem of dodgy loans on bank balance sheets has been resolved, and most importantly Greece that receives a positive evaluation from its international creditors in a review later this year. The only advantage of the capital controls has been to encourage Greeks to use other means of payments when they can: bank transfers and card payments inside the country were not restricted. That would help reduce problematic tax evasion, if more Greek businesses install card terminals. "People have adapted but not businesses, as the installation of card terminals has been a headache, because in addition to many bank commissions many indebted companies are in such a terrible state they don't have the right to install them," said Kalabalikis. The result has been, according to Sotiropoulos, that "prices have fallen even more and fostered the black market" as businesses are inclined "to offer considerable discounts to get sales by not issuing a receipt and dodging the tax payments". (AFP)

For Greeks, emergency economic measures feed today's crisis

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