Keep Talking Greece

Council of State orders scrapping of Greek citizenship law

February 6, 2013 5

The Council of State on Tuesday deemed unconstitutional a law passed almost three years ago which allows second-generation migrants to apply for Greek citizenship and to stand in local elections. Greece’s highest administrative court ruled that only Greeks could stand for office. It also decided that the criteria for offering …

Greek seamen threaten with new strike despite ‘civil mobilization’

February 6, 2013 1

The strikers’ front in Piraeus broke apart in the early morning hours of Wednesday and at least three ferries left Piraeus port at six in the morning. Strong riot police forces and coast guards were deployed at the docks to facilitate the ferries loading and sailing off. During the night …

Athens: Pushing and shouting for a free bag of vegetables, one injured

February 6, 2013 1

Incredible scenes with pushing and shouting took place outside the Agricultural Ministry in Athens, when farmers distributed fruits and vegetables free of charge. Dozens of low-pensioners, jobless and citizens in economic difficulties raised their hands begging for a bag of free food. Video: Tension and frustration were high, when the …

Athens: Buses & Trolley work stoppage, Feb 6/2013

February 5, 2013 Comments Off on Athens: Buses & Trolley work stoppage, Feb 6/2013

Workers at buses and trolley will launch a work stoppage between 12 o’clock noon and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6th 2013 out of solidarity with striking seamen. Buses and trolleys are expected to start withdrawing form traffic at 11 a.m. and to have fully resume schedules by 5 p.m. …

New horsemeat burgers scandal: Irish company with EU customers

February 5, 2013 10

Irelands’ “number one” burger producer suspended production after after tests showed that horsemeat was found in firm’s raw material ingredients. Ireland’s agriculture department confirmed the findings pointing the finger at Poland as the country of origin for the raw materials. Irish beefburger producer Rangeland Foods has customers in the UK, Greece, Belgium, Sweden, …

Police arrests businessman owing the state 54 million euro

February 5, 2013 4

Greek police arrested a 70-year-old man for owing the state whole 53,392,394.73 euro. The man was had a business dealing with items for photography and was arrested in Voula suburb of southern Athens on Tuesday. According to police news bulletin, also seven other people were arrested in several suburbs of …

Parents declare “proud” of four arrested bank robbers suspected of terrorism

February 5, 2013 14

Greek public opinion is divided. Part of the society condemns the apparent beating of the four suspects arrested in Velvento, Kozani. But another society part hails the beating claiming it was deserved as the “kids” (as they are called here) were armed with heavy weapons. Minister of Justice, Antonis Roupakiotis, openly …

Greek government considers creating a big “bad bank”

February 5, 2013 6

Greek daily Imerisia reports that the Greek government is considering submitting legislation to create a bad bank to take non-performing loans off the books of Greek banks. The move would not only aid banks but give more time to those struggling to repay loans, according to the article. The paper …

Greek seamen extend strike for another 48 hours, Feb 6-7/2013

February 5, 2013 2

Negotiations with Maritime Minister brought no results. Greek seamen union PNO decided on Tuesday morning to extend their strike for another 48 hours. Ferries and ships will remain docked also on February 6th and 7th 2013, that is until February 8th, 6 o’ clock in the morning. Maritime Minister Kostis Mousouroulis …

AI “Greek authorities cannot Photoshop their problems away

February 5, 2013 Comments Off on AI “Greek authorities cannot Photoshop their problems away

Amnesty International called on Greek authorities to investigate the accusations of torture of the four bank robbers also suspected of terrorism. Criticizing the publishing of the arrested’s pictures after being altered with digital means, AI stressed that problems of police abuse cannot be photoshopped away. “The Greek authorities cannot just Photoshop their problems …

SPIEGEL: Greek Extremist ‘Golden Dawn’ Fosters Ties with German Neo-Nazis

February 4, 2013 7

Greek extreme-right party Golden Dawn (Chrysi Avgi) has established contacts to German neo-Nazis groups in Bavaria and is under the surveillance of the Federal state’s intelligence agency, German weekly DER SPIEGEL reported. According to several German newspapers and websites, a spokesman from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in …

Greek Journos Union condemns death threats against UNFOLLOW reporter

February 4, 2013 Comments Off on Greek Journos Union condemns death threats against UNFOLLOW reporter

Greek Journalist Union ESHEA condemned death threats against Lefteris Charalambopoulos, reporter of monthly magazine UNFOLLOW , who recently published a report about oil smuggling. In a statement ESHEA condemned the threats against Charalambopoulos, stressing “an increase of dangerous pressure and threats against journalists”. At the same time, ESHEA calls on all …