International

“We shall do everything in our power to improve the agreement since the ragtag [governing] majority has decided to bring it to a vote and we cannot overturn it,” one ND source said.

As it did in 2015, the government is fueling populism, opportunistic demagoguery, and the collapse of all ethical and ideological limits.

Barring any surprises the government will have a majority to ratify the Prespa Accord on the Foreign Affairs Committee and in the upcoming 24 January ratification vote in a plenary session of parliament.

Main opposition New Democracy has called the government to task for not being able to maintain order at yesterday’s major rally against the Greece-FYROM Prespa Agreement. In a statement issued today ND poses a series of questions about the political and operational decisions that permitted a large and peaceful rally to spin out of control. […]

The charges include use of explosives that could endanger the property of others and human lives • Attempted heavy bodily injury against policemen in the line of duty

Already in crisis, the small centre-right party was demolished by internal disputes over ratification of the Greece-FYROM Prespa Agreement.

What is important is that a big demonstration was broken up by chemical warfare in a matter of minutes.

Now, the government is again jockeying on the sidelines to gather 151 willing MPs to ratify the Greece-FYROM Prespa Agreement.

Maintaining that Ankara is attempting to solve problems with Greece through dialogue, Aksoy demanded the extradition to Turkey of individuals allegedly related to the “Gulenist” movement

In effect, with the pretext of protecting the rights of veterans the clarification asserts clearly the existence of a Macedonian ethnicity (Macedonian people) and indeed liberation struggles that sought to unify the entire geographic area of Macedonia.

Essentially, one is witnessing the revival of the old teachers’ hiring registry, without essential evaluation or judgment of the credentials of candidates for teaching positions.

The new law will change the point system as regards the weight attached to academic credentials in hiring – including undergraduate and graduate degrees, seminars, and the teaching of a second language.

In order to allay any fears by opposition parties and MPs that the government intends to ram the agreement through Parliament with a fast-track procedure, the government is preparing a brief information campaign and a televised debate.

The vile attacks against government MPs during the anti-memorandum protests, in which SYRIZA played a leading role, are unfortunately being repeated.

After the vote, Tsipras said on national television that he intends to complete his term, which would mean holding the general election in October, 2019.

Nearly 70 percent (69.6%) of those polled said they oppose the Prespa Agreement, but 26.5 percent, believe that the Greece-FYROM naming accord is in Greece's interest.

SYRIZA’s policies are no different from those of centre-left European parties, which in turn are quite similar to centre-right parties.

It notes that Greece’s exit from the bailout programmes, before which creditors approved a cash buffer and an extensions on the servicing of loans, directly impacts on the Eurozone’s credit rating.

The PM sought to be recognised as the sole opponent of New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, by exploiting an issue of national import that has divided Greek society for nearly three decades.

Mitsotakis and centre-left Movement for Change leader Fofi Gennimata, in turn, blasted the government regarding the over-taxation