ekathimerini - the Greek Letter - by Constantine Capsaskis - 25 august 2024 - Groundhog Day for main opposition party [InTime News] Constantine Capsaskis Newsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. Main opposition party SYRIZA has once again descended into internecine fighting. This time the party has fractured into three camps following a tumultuous meeting of its Political Secretariat on Thursday. Party leader Stefanos Kasselakis, who won SYRIZA’s leadership election last September, and his supporters are on the defensive both against the internal opposition group of the “87”, which includes several prominent party members and former ministers (with many considered to be close associates of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras), and against firebrand controversial former deputy minister Pavlos Polakis. Kasselakis decried an “organized plan” by his opponents aiming to achieve “the daily humiliation of SYRIZA until the [upcoming party] congress, so that no one stays”, and warned that the opposition seeks to replace him with a candidate chosen by those with “vested interests”. Polakis, who was formerly considered a mentor figure to Kasselakis, explicitly called for a change in leadership during the meeting of the Political Secretariat. “The leadership cannot move forward like this. It cannot provide a political solution. Change is needed, and I will contribute to this effort for change,” he is quoted as saying. During the same meeting, eight members of the Secretariat who are part of the “87” walked out of the meeting, expressing their opposition both to the efforts of the party leader’s office to pressure prospective MP’s on the statewide list to resign and facilitate the swearing in of Kasselakis as an MP as well as the handling of the finances of the party’s media outlets that have faced significant strain (with many employees stating that they have not been paid). “The refusal to provide financial data to the political secretariat speaks volumes about the rules being imposed in the new SYRIZA, which in no way represents the left,” they said, noting that “we do not legitimize procedures, behaviors and decisions that trivialize us as individuals and our party”. The party is set to hold a meeting of its Central Committee on September 7, with most expecting it to be a volatile affair. According to Kathimerini’s Antonis Antzoletos, some in opposition shared their view that the current situation is reminiscent of the previous splits within the party following the leadership victory of Kasselakis. Spotlight The sustainability of Greece’s tourism product has become an increasingly pressing concern for both residents of popular destinations and the state. The recent approval for the construction of a large tourist village on the island of Astypalaia, that will dwarf both the island’s existing largest settlements, despite the opposition of the local council has led to significant consternation, with many fearing for the island’s character as one of the first “green” islands in Greece and part of the GR-Eco Island initiative. At the same time, it is increasingly obvious that Greece’s maritime routes are creaking under the weight of the significant increase in demand by both Greeks and visitors, with insufficient infrastructure and staffing being a widespread problem. Finally, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund is proposing the adoption of a new framework to regulate the cruise industry, partly to address the significant difficulties caused by the high volume of visitors in places like Santorini. The decision by the Culture Ministry at the last minute to replace four proposed members of the committee which decides which motion picture will be Greece’s possible nominee at the next Academy Awards caused significant furor in the domestic film industry. Despite the four members of the Hellenic Film Academy originally receiving emails from the ministry confirming their appointment on August 11, they received a follow-up two days later stating that the original email was a mistake. Out of 26 total candidate films, 21 were withdrawn from the competition in protest of the ministry’s decision (with many levelling significant criticism towards it) and quest

 

Groundhog Day for main opposition party[InTime News] Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. Main opposition party  Groundhog Day for main opposition party[InTime News] Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. Main opposition party SYRIZA has once again descended into internecine fighting. This time the party has fractured into three camps following a tumultuous meeting of its Political Secretariat on Thursday. Party leader Stefanos Kasselakis, who won SYRIZA’s leadership election last September, and his supporters are on the defensive both against the internal opposition group of the “87”, which includes several prominent party members and former ministers (with many considered to be close associates of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras), and against firebrand controversial former deputy minister Pavlos Polakis. Kasselakis decried an “organized plan” by his opponents aiming to achieve “the daily humiliation of SYRIZA until the [upcoming party] congress, so that no one stays”, and warned that the opposition seeks to replace him with a candidate chosen by those with “vested interests”. Polakis, who was formerly considered a mentor figure to Kasselakis, explicitly called for a change in leadership during the meeting of the Political Secretariat. “The leadership cannot move forward like this. It cannot provide a political solution. Change is needed, and I will contribute to this effort for change,” he is quoted as saying. During the same meeting, eight members of the Secretariat who are part of the “87” walked out of the meeting, expressing their opposition both to the efforts of the party leader’s office to pressure prospective MP’s on the statewide list to resign and facilitate the swearing in of Kasselakis as an MP as well as the handling of the finances of the party’s media outlets that have faced significant strain (with many employees stating that they have not been paid). “The refusal to provide financial data to the political secretariat speaks volumes about the rules being imposed in the new SYRIZA, which in no way represents the left,” they said, noting that “we do not legitimize procedures, behaviors and decisions that trivialize us as individuals and our party”. The party is set to hold a meeting of its Central Committee on September 7, with most expecting it to be a volatile affair. According to Kathimerini’s Antonis Antzoletos, some in opposition shared their view that the current situation is reminiscent of the previous splits within the party following the leadership victory of Kasselakis. Spotlight The sustainability of Greece’s tourism product has become an increasingly pressing concern for both residents of popular destinations and the state. The recent approval for the construction of a large tourist village on the island of Astypalaia, that will dwarf both the island’s existing largest settlements, despite the opposition of the local council has led to significant consternation, with many fearing for the island’s character as one of the first “green” islands in Greece and part of the GR-Eco Island initiative. At the same time, it is increasingly obvious that Greece’s maritime routes are creaking under the weight of the significant increase in demand by both Greeks and visitors, with insufficient infrastructure and staffing being a widespread problem. Finally, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund is proposing the adoption of a new framework to regulate the cruise industry, partly to address the significant difficulties caused by the high volume of visitors in places like Santorini.   The decision by the Culture Ministry at the last minute to replace four proposed members of the committee which decides which motion picture will be Greece’s possible nominee at the next Academy Awards caused significant furor in the domestic film industry. Despite the four members of the Hellenic Film Academy originally receiving emails from the ministry confirming their appointment on August 11, they received a follow-up two days later stating that the original email was a mistake. Out of 26 total candidate films, 21 were withdrawn from the competition in protest of the ministry’s decision (with many levelling significant criticism towards it) and questioning the impartiality of the new committee. “The important thing is for someone to answer as to who decided on the composition of the first committee, who decided to change it, and whether there was any pressure to do so”, said Zacharias Mavroeidis, one of the directors who decided to withdraw his movie. MUST READS Freelancers need to pull their weight, tooGo to article > Contagious laxityGo to article > Exiled by the blazesGo to article > OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition Greece’s struggle against traffickers[InTime News] Given Greece’s location and geographical characteristics it is no surprise the country has for years been at the forefront of a war with migrant traffickers taking advantage of poor people who, in their quest for a brighter future in Europe, are willing to endanger their lives. The smugglers have shown an extraordinary ability to adapt. As of late they have been “modernizing” their modus operandi by using high speed boats to approach the east Aegean islands, instead of the much slower cheap inflatable dinghies with small motors. That often allows them, when spotted by the Greek coast guard and asked through loudspeakers to stop, to accelerate and get away. In addition, as the traffickers are clearly dedicated criminals, they are often armed, making the heated encounters with the coast guard even more dangerous, which in many cases entail shootouts as well as the ramming of the authorities’ patrol boats. The recent unfortunate incident off the small island of Symi, that led to the death of one migrant when a Greek patrol boat opened fire on the trafficker speedboat to immobilize it, was just one of many; the coast guard has recorded at least 200 encounters since the beginning of the summer. Fortunately, in most cases the victims are rescued and transferred safely to dedicated facilities that Greece has set up in a number of its islands. This continuous fight in difficult and dangerous situations requires not only the ability and dedication of the officers, but also the necessary economic and, more specifically, technological support. In dealing with the organized criminal operators and faced with these migration flows, Greece is doing its best. This being a European rather than strictly a Greek problem, the effort requires an unwavering, multifaceted support by the European Union on many fronts; from financing and providing the necessary equipment and training, to diplomatic engagement with the countries that are directly or indirectly involved. CHART OF THE WEEK While the rate of tourists visiting Greece continues to grow, it outpaces the increase in revenues from tourist activities as average spending per visitor declines. This is due to both the tightening of disposable income of European travelers and the significant increase of prices in Greece, with high levels of inflation still expected to significantly eat into the profit margins of hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Specifically, according to the Bank of Greece, there was a total increase of 15.5% (11.625 million) in the total number of visitors in Greece in the first six months of 2024 which led to a 12.2% increase in revenues (6.921 billion euros).   ESCAPADE Savvy travelers seek ‘dupes’ to beat the crowds at popular destinations Imagine strolling through serene streets, enjoying breathtaking views, and savoring local delicacies – all without the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist hotspots. This dream is becoming a reality for savvy travelers turning to lesser-known “dupe” destinations. Go to article > ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL “The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,432.60 points on Friday, up 0.05% from last week. However, the benchmark has dropped by 3.08% in August.” “The imminent increase in the Golden Visa investment threshold, saw international demand drive up average property values in the port of Piraeus by 28.9% year-on-year to 2,471 euros per square meter.” “The start-up ecosystem in Greece continues to face the impact in the dip in global financing, with only five of this year’s total 41 funding rounds involving series A startups (projects beyond the original seed funding).” WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA 27/08/2024PM visits Thessaloniki: The PM will present his government’s strategy for regional development, but the visit is also considered to be laying the ground for his speech at the city’s International Fair in early September. 28/08/2024Paralympic Games: The Paralympic Games will begin and run to September 8. The Greek team is comprised of 37 athletes who will compete in 10 sports including swimming, archery, weightlifting, and judo. 29/08/2024European meetings: European Union Foreign Ministers will meet in Brussels for an informal meeting on Friday, with Defense Ministers also meeting informally a day later. Editor's PickThe neighboring country appears unready to take the big step toward resolving its differences with Greece and believes that Ankara must approve, or at least be informed of, Greece’s every legitimate move in the Aegean.Christos RozakisRead the article PODCAST 21/08/2024 • 12:58Can lessons from past wildfires help save Greece’s forests?Last week Greece – and the region of Attica where Athens is located – suffered another major wildfire that threatened the suburbs of Athens and burned an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. This wildfire came a year after Greece experienced Europe’s largest ever wildfire on record, which burned over half of the Dadia National Park. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we return from a brief summer break to look back at the latest devastating wildfire that tore through Attica, and look at how lessons from the past can help save Greece’s forests. John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera’s correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com. We’d like to hear from youShare your feedback at newsletters@ekathimerini.com Did you receive this email from a friend?Subscribe to our newsletters here This time the party has fractured into three camps following a tumultuous meeting of its Political Secretariat on Thursday. Party leader Stefanos Kasselakis, who won SYRIZA’s leadership election last September, and his supporters are on the defensive both against the internal opposition group of the “87”, which includes several prominent party members and former ministers (with many considered to be close associates of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras), and against firebrand controversial former deputy minister Pavlos Polakis. Kasselakis decried an “organized plan” by his opponents aiming to achieve “the daily humiliation of SYRIZA until the [upcoming party] congress, so that no one stays”, and warned that the opposition seeks to replace him with a candidate chosen by those with “vested interests”. Polakis, who was formerly considered a mentor figure to Kasselakis, explicitly called for a change in leadership during the meeting of the Political Secretariat. “The leadership cannot move forward like this. It cannot provide a political solution. Change is needed, and I will contribute to this effort for change,” he is quoted as saying. During the same meeting, eight members of the Secretariat who are part of the “87” walked out of the meeting, expressing their opposition both to the efforts of the party leader’s office to pressure prospective MP’s on the statewide list to resign and facilitate the swearing in of Kasselakis as an MP as well as the handling of the finances of the party’s media outlets that have faced significant strain (with many employees stating that they have not been paid). “The refusal to provide financial data to the political secretariat speaks volumes about the rules being imposed in the new SYRIZA, which in no way represents the left,” they said, noting that “we do not legitimize procedures, behaviors and decisions that trivialize us as individuals and our party”. The party is set to hold a meeting of its Central Committee on September 7, with most expecting it to be a volatile affair. According to Kathimerini’s Antonis Antzoletos, some in opposition shared their view that the current situation is reminiscent of the previous splits within the party following the leadership victory of Kasselakis. Spotlight The sustainability of Greece’s tourism product has become an increasingly pressing concern for both residents of popular destinations and the state. The recent approval for the construction of a large tourist village on the island of Astypalaia, that will dwarf both the island’s existing largest settlements, despite the opposition of the local council has led to significant consternation, with many fearing for the island’s character as one of the first “green” islands in Greece and part of the GR-Eco Island initiative. At the same time, it is increasingly obvious that Greece’s maritime routes are creaking under the weight of the significant increase in demand by both Greeks and visitors, with insufficient infrastructure and staffing being a widespread problem. Finally, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund is proposing the adoption of a new framework to regulate the cruise industry, partly to address the significant difficulties caused by the high volume of visitors in places like Santorini.   The decision by the Culture Ministry at the last minute to replace four proposed members of the committee which decides which motion picture will be Greece’s possible nominee at the next Academy Awards caused significant furor in the domestic film industry. Despite the four members of the Hellenic Film Academy originally receiving emails from the ministry confirming their appointment on August 11, they received a follow-up two days later stating that the original email was a mistake. Out of 26 total candidate films, 21 were withdrawn from the competition in protest of the ministry’s decision (with many levelling significant criticism towards it) and questioning the impartiality of the new committee. “The important thing is for someone to answer as to who decided on the composition of the first committee, who decided to change it, and whether there was any pressure to do so”, said Zacharias Mavroeidis, one of the directors who decided to withdraw his movie.

MUST READS Freelancers need to pull their weight, tooGo to article > Contagious laxityGo to article > Exiled by the blazesGo to article >

OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition Greece’s struggle against traffickers[InTime News] Given Greece’s location and geographical characteristics it is no surprise the country has for years been at the forefront of a war with migrant traffickers taking advantage of poor people who, in their quest for a brighter future in Europe, are willing to endanger their lives. The smugglers have shown an extraordinary ability to adapt. As of late they have been “modernizing” their modus operandi by using high speed boats to approach the east Aegean islands, instead of the much slower cheap inflatable dinghies with small motors. That often allows them, when spotted by the Greek coast guard and asked through loudspeakers to stop, to accelerate and get away. In addition, as the traffickers are clearly dedicated criminals, they are often armed, making the heated encounters with the coast guard even more dangerous, which in many cases entail shootouts as well as the ramming of the authorities’ patrol boats. The recent unfortunate incident off the small island of Symi, that led to the death of one migrant when a Greek patrol boat opened fire on the trafficker speedboat to immobilize it, was just one of many; the coast guard has recorded at least 200 encounters since the beginning of the summer. Fortunately, in most cases the victims are rescued and transferred safely to dedicated facilities that Greece has set up in a number of its islands. This continuous fight in difficult and dangerous situations requires not only the ability and dedication of the officers, but also the necessary economic and, more specifically, technological support. In dealing with the organized criminal operators and faced with these migration flows, Greece is doing its best. This being a European rather than strictly a Greek problem, the effort requires an unwavering, multifaceted support by the European Union on many fronts; from financing and providing the necessary equipment and training, to diplomatic engagement with the countries that are directly or indirectly involved.

CHART OF THE WEEK

While the rate of tourists visiting Greece continues to grow, it outpaces the increase in revenues from tourist activities as average spending per visitor declines. This is due to both the tightening of disposable income of European travelers and the significant increase of prices in Greece, with high levels of inflation still expected to significantly eat into the profit margins of hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Specifically, according to the Bank of Greece, there was a total increase of 15.5% (11.625 million) in the total number of visitors in Greece in the first six months of 2024 which led to a 12.2% increase in revenues (6.921 billion euros).

ESCAPADE Savvy travelers seek ‘dupes’ to beat the crowds at popular destinations Imagine strolling through serene streets, enjoying breathtaking views, and savoring local delicacies – all without the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist hotspots. This dream is becoming a reality for savvy travelers turning to lesser-known “dupe” destinations. Go to article >

ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL

“The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,432.60 points on Friday, up 0.05% from last week. However, the benchmark has dropped by 3.08% in August.”

“The imminent increase in the Golden Visa investment threshold, saw international demand drive up average property values in the port of Piraeus by 28.9% year-on-year to 2,471 euros per square meter.”

“The start-up ecosystem in Greece continues to face the impact in the dip in global financing, with only five of this year’s total 41 funding rounds involving series A startups (projects beyond the original seed funding).”

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

27/08/2024PM visits Thessaloniki: The PM will present his government’s strategy for regional development, but the visit is also considered to be laying the ground for his speech at the city’s International Fair in early September. 28/08/2024Paralympic Games: The Paralympic Games will begin and run to September 8. The Greek team is comprised of 37 athletes who will compete in 10 sports including swimming, archery, weightlifting, and judo. 29/08/2024European meetings: European Union Foreign Ministers will meet in Brussels for an informal meeting on Friday, with Defense Ministers also meeting informally a day later.

Editor's PickThe neighboring country appears unready to take the big step toward resolving its differences with Greece and believes that Ankara must approve, or at least be informed of, Greece’s every legitimate move in the Aegean.Christos RozakisRead the article

PODCAST

21/08/2024 • 12:58Can lessons from past wildfires help save Greece’s forests?Last week Greece – and the region of Attica where Athens is located – suffered another major wildfire that threatened the suburbs of Athens and burned an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. This wildfire came a year after Greece experienced Europe’s largest ever wildfire on record, which burned over half of the Dadia National Park. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we return from a brief summer break to look back at the latest devastating wildfire that tore through Attica, and look at how lessons from the past can help save Greece’s forests. John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera’s correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.

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