What’s In a Name [AP] | Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor |
Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. The revival of the dispute over the name of North Macedonia, following the presidential inauguration of Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova last week, continued to be high on the Greek agenda this week. The row between Greece and the newly elected government of North Macedonia deepened when Prime Minister-designate Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, stated that his party will use the constitutional name in official communications between institutions but reserved the “individual right” to use the term “Macedonia and Macedonian” in speeches and statements. Mickoski had earlier called the decision of Siljanovska-Davkova to deviate from the official text of her oath as “dignified”, and stated that “if Greece believes we violated the Prespa Agreement, let them appeal to the International Court of Justice”. In response, the Greek government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have made it explicitly clear that the very prospect of the European accession of North Macedonia depends on full compliance with the provisions of the Prespa Agreement. “I had warned with a clear statement the new government in Skopje that any deviation from implementation of the agreement is sure to have serious consequences for our relations with North Macedonia and also for the country’s European path”, noted the PM. This is also something Mitsotakis has stressed in recent campaign appearances ahead of the European elections in June. “If some believe they can disregard the agreement, they should understand that their path to Europe will remain closed, and the memoranda will not be ratified unless there is compliance with what the agreement stipulates,” he said from the town of Veria in northern Greece. Both Germany and the United States underlined their commitment to the Prespa Agreement, urging the new government to uphold its international commitments. Spotlight - With the European elections of June 9 only a few weeks away, Greece’s politicians are on the campaign trail with a particular emphasis on social media. All leaders are seeking to attract younger voters by engagement on platforms such as TikTok and X. The latest voting intention surveys confirm that ruling New Democracy enjoys a healthy lead over the opposition, with the government securing a 29% share (up from 28.5%) and second place main opposition SYRIZA recording 14%. “I don’t want there to be any doubt, New Democracy will remain the dominating political force in Greek politics,” said Mitsotakis on the upcoming vote, urging his supporters to allow no room in the European elections for opposition parties to doubt the legitimacy of his government. At the same time, both SYRIZA and PASOK are fighting for second place with the surge of far-right Greek Solution seemingly having been tempered by recent government initiatives, including targeted campaigning in northern Greece. SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis attacked the government, stating that the “cold-hearted” and “arrogant” government of New Democracy will come to an end on June 9, while PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis stated that his party “will be the big winner of the European elections.”
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OPINION | Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition |
Destabilizing nationalism in North Macedonia [Reuters]After decades of fruitless negotiations, Athens and Skopje signed in 2018 an international agreement which, among its many provisions, stipulated that the country’s official name would be “North Macedonia”, to be used both domestically and abroad. It’s an obligation for North Macedonia’s leaders and officials to use the country’s agreed upon constitutional name in all cases. What the newly elected nationalist president and prime minister of Greece’s northern neighbor are doing violates the letter and the spirit of the agreement and is unacceptable. Their populist approach can only harm their country, including its economy. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and the leader of VMRO-DPMNE and prospective Prime Minister, Christian Mitskoski, are doing a great disservice to their country by not adhering to the Prespa Agreement which, by the way, includes provisions that most Greeks detest but undertook the obligation to honor. The Prespa agreement was a mutually acceptable compromise that normalized North Macedonia’s relations with its most important and powerful neighbor, strengthened its security by allowing it to enter NATO, and facilitated its process of accession into the European Union with all the social and economic benefits that come with it. Greece became the most fervent proponent of this positive development. Now, the actions by North Macedonia’s new leadership are destabilizing the region. They are understandably seen with concern and suspicion in Athens and condemned by the EU and the US as the West cannot allow a “black hole” in the heart of Southeastern Europe. The aggressive nationalist position of the President and the Prime Minister will negatively impact relations not only with Greece but also with Europe as a whole and could freeze the country’s European accession process. They will harm North Macedonia in so many ways; one can imagine an array of possible developments, both inside the country but also, and most importantly, from outside. It’s not too late for North Macedonia’s leadership to change course and by doing so serve the long-term interests of their country. |
| CHART OF THE WEEK | |  The spring forecast by the European Commission estimates lower growth in Greece than that of the government. Specifically, it forecasts a growth of 2.2% for 2024 and 2.3% for 2025 compared to estimates of 2.5% and 2.6% respectively by the recent Stability Program. However, this growth rate remains more than double the Eurozone average of 0.8% and the European Union average of 1%. This is also true of 2025, with an estimated Eurozone average of 1.4% and EU average of 1.6%. The Commission forecast is also more optimistic than IMF estimates of 2% growth in 2024 and 1.9% in 2025. The Commission’s forecast of investments is also much lower than that of the government, with an estimated increase of 6.7% in 2024 and 8.4% in 2025 compared to government forecasts of 9.1% and 14.4% respectively. |
| | |  | ESCAPADE | | 5+1 Reasons for a Spring Day Trip to Aegina Wildflowers, ancient olive trees, nature, and delicious pistachio treats. In the spring, Aegina provides everything you need for the perfect day trip. Go to article > |
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| ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL | | | “The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,490.46 points on Friday, up 0.43% from last week. The benchmark temporarily went above the 1,500-point milestone during the week.” | | | “The government has asked for four measures from the European Commission to ensure multinational companies are unable to sell their products in Greece at higher prices in order to combat rising costs for consumers.” | | | “Research published by Endeavor Greece starkly illustrates that emerging tech companies with Greek DNA abroad dwarf the local ecosystem. “We conclude that the ecosystem of startups, as it has been developed by Greeks abroad, is 10-20 times larger than that of Greece,” says Panagiotis Karabinis, managing director of Endeavor Greece” |
| WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA | | - 20/05/2024European election campaigns: The political campaigns ahead of the European elections in June continue unabated, with an emphasis on northern Greece. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis are all visiting the region this week.
- 21/05/2024Strike: The Confederation of Greek Civil Servants’ Trade Union have called for a further day of industrial action on Tuesday. Public transport may be disrupted.
- 24/05/2024Parliamentary debate: Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced that Parliament will hold a general debate between the political leaders, most likely for the last time before the European elections, this Friday following a motion by SYRIZA to debate the cost-of-living crisis.
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Editor's Pick It’s worth trying to do better. An elementary condition to achieve this is to see the reality of our economy without distorting lenses, and with a clearer view.Kostas KallitsisRead the article |
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