ekathimerini - The Greek Letter - 29 December 2024 - next year the election of a new President of the Hellenic Republic and more...

 

Presidential questions in 2025[InTime News] Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. With 2024 coming to a close, Greece’s political world is already looking to next year and the election of a new President of the Hellenic Republic. The government held its final cabinet meeting of the year this week, where Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on his ministers to focus “on our fellow citizens most in need” and stated that there is no room for complacency in the coming months. While the mood within ruling New Democracy is reportedly much better than it had been for several months, with a unified approach to passing the budget, many are waiting to hear who the prime minister’s candidate for the presidency will be. Traditionally, the government recommends a presidential candidate from outside its own political sphere, for both practical and ideological reasons. Sources available to Kathimerini note that Mitsotakis is leaning towards a centrist candidate, rather than one from within New Democracy, as “it would not suit the prime minister’s profile if there was a president voted only by ND MPs”.  It is likely that the prime minister will look for support from official opposition PASOK, which has yet to put forward its own candidate and is likely waiting to see who the government will put forward to gauge whether there is any room for co-operation.  It is clear that if the government proposes one of its members for the presidency, like the oft-rumored nomination of current Speaker of the House Kostas Tasoulas or Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, it is very unlikely that it will garner the support of the official opposition. Additionally, the latest surveys suggest that the public would prefer to see a non-political personality as president. This was also the case with incumbent Katerina Sakellaropoulou, put forward by Mitsotakis in 2019, who was President of the Council of State, the country’s Supreme Administrative Court. Spotlight The Greek government has decided to provide Ukraine with further material support, specifically 24 Sea Sparrow missiles, signaling its continued commitment to the latter’s defense. This unwavering support was also emphasized by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the latest European Summit. The missiles, drawn from the reserves of both the Hellenic Navy and the Hellenic Air Force, were deemed surplus to operational requirements with the government noting that it will not be reducing its defensive capacity in the Aegean. The move can also be seen as an answer to Greece’s allies who insist that it should provide Ukraine with its Patriot or S-300 missile defense systems, something the country has repeatedly rejected.   Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual head of the Orthodox Church, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Christmas Day. The meeting was held at the request of the Patriarch who wished to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and how they may impact its Orthodox communities, particularly in Syria, with the Turkish president. The patriarch also brought up the re-opening of the historic Halki seminary and thanked Erdogan for his decision to do so. During the meeting, Erdogan also reportedly promised assistance to expedite the process after a request by Bartholomew. Finally, the two men also discussed the scheduled celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, with Pope Francis set to attend.

MUST READS Snapshots of irresponsibilityGo to article > Those who know but don’t speak upGo to article > Different results on a common course in EuropeGo to article >

OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition 2025: the economy and relations with Turkey[InTime News] Among the challenges Greece will be facing in 2025, the economy and relations with Turkey top the agenda. On the domestic front, James Carville’s coined phrase from 1992, “it’s the economy stupid”, is true for Greece as it is for most countries. The positive narrative the government is projecting is confronted by the harsh reality of unabated high prices that make it difficult for many people to make ends meet. Despite the registered rate of growth and certain investments on specific sectors, an increasingly large part of society is not sharing in the wealth, and this has led to public disappointment. The government has to act expeditiously to tackle the root causes of inflation and the deepening inequality. Having a few people prosper, while many do not earn enough, is a prescription for social discontent. This is mirrored in the lower government approval ratings, at present around 25%, compared to the 40% it got in the national elections of 2023. On relations with our neighbor to the East, the lack of progress on the ongoing bilateral dialogue of the last couple of years might lead to rising tensions. And this, while the puzzle is becoming more complex. The new situation in Syria reinforces Turkish President Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman vision and expansionist intentions which, if they materialize, will in this specific case be at the expense of Cyprus, thus creating one more point of friction with Greece. In this new, different regional landscape an even closer partnership between Greece and Israel seems as the natural strategic choice for both countries. The government will have to deal with both the economic and diplomatic challenges at a time when in the domestic political scene, the center left opposition is deeply divided. But this fragmentation might prove a curse rather than a blessing for the ruling conservatives as it “liberates” the dissenting voices within; the most prominent one being former prime minister Antonis Samaras who was recently expelled from the party. The present lull with respect to the economy as well as our relations with Turkey might be misleading. In the new year we will need the necessary vision and bold actions in order to attract foreign investment and reduce inequality, as well as implement a long-term strategy in dealing with Ankara.

CHART OF THE WEEK

The real estate market continues to climb, with property prices close to reaching an all-time high. At the same time, asking rent prices are also soaring at the highest rate since the beginning of the cost-of-living crisis. The situation is reflected in two crucial metrics. Firstly, the percentage of homeownership in Greece is falling below 70% for the first time. Secondly, the high levels of household income that are dedicated to covering rents or mortgages. The government is set to introduce five measures to help deal with the looming crisis, including subsidized mortgages, limits on short-term renting, tax incentives for long-term renting, and measures to bring to the market “shuttered” properties.

ESCAPADE Amazing Kaimaktsalan: Ski slopes, hot springs and hiking trails in Northern Greece From the Voras Ski Center, the highest one in Greece, to the natural Pozar Thermal Baths and hiking trails through scenic gorges, the Pella region has much to offer the winter visitor. Go to article >

ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL

“The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,457.38 points on Friday, up 0.34% from last week.”

“The state budget recorded a primary surplus of 12.01 billion euros over the first 11 months of the year, against a target of 9.91 billion euros. Net state revenues were also up, largely due to the collection of an extraordinary levy on electricity suppliers in October of 206 million euros.”

“Real estate continues to be the prime attractor of Foreign Direct Investment in Greece, with 1.9 billion euros invested in the first nine months of the year (17% more than the year before). Overall, real estate represents 62% of the total FDI in Greece.”

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

30/12/2024Social Media: The government is set to officially announce a series of new measures to tackle youth addiction to social media. 31/12/2024Treasury Bills: The Greek state will auction off 13-week treasury bills (expiring April 4) with a total value of 500 million euros. 01/01/2025New Year: Happy New Year!

Editor's PickSure, Greece’s growth rate exceeds that of other developed European countries, but this does not mean we are on a path to convergence.Kostas KallitsisRead the article

PODCAST

23/12/2024 • 11:57Greece and Cyprus on alert over possible Turkey-Syria EEZ dealVassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what a potential deal between Ankara and Damascus to delimit their EEZ’s based on Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine could mean for the region, and what steps Athens and Nicosia are taking to pre-empt it.

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