Tag Archives: minister

Former Justice Minister Haralambos Athanasiou (ND) stunned Greeks when he openly admitted on Thursday that “kickbacks are among a minister’s duties.” The ex New Democracy minister was speaking live to state broadcaster ERT TV when he made this unbelievable statement. As the topic was the Novartis-Gate, Athanasiou was asked whether …

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Almost 13 years after cremations were legalized in Greece, Environment and Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis signed a decision to allow the construction of the much anticipated cremation facilicity in Athens. The Minister’s decision determines the place and the conditions under which the facility will operate and as designed and proposed …

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Deputy Minister for Citizens’ Protection, Katerina Papacosta has submitted her resignation to  Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday evening, after receiving life threats due to her intention to vote in favor of the Prespes Agreement. Tsipras did not accept the resignation of the former New Democracy politician, expelled from the …

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Dr. Stamatis Krimizis, the renowned Greek astrophysicist, has resigned from his post as President of the Hellenic Space Agensy (HSA) a month after his appointment. In his resignation letter, Krimizis cited the eternal Greek plagues: bureaucracy, meritocracy and a series of politically-motivated obstacles that would make the agency into “subservient …

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Ex Defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, his wife Vicky Stamati and his daughter Areti Tsochatzopoulou will have to return to prison, the five-member Court of Appeals decided on Tuesday. The second instance court opened the prison door to Tsochatzopoulos and nine more defendants on the case of “golden bribes” for the …

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Turkish Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said he will visit Greece on Oct. 11 to discuss Ankara’s ban on Turkish-flagged commercial yachts and regular passenger ships sailing to Greece. The ban came on Sept. 25 after Greek authorities seized 11 Turkish vessels for alleged violations of maritime regulations. A ban was …

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An Appeals Court on Friday found guilty former Transport and Communications minister Tassos Mantelis of money laundering in the Siemens kickbacks case. Following a lengthy procedure, the judges unanimously ruled that the 450,000 German marks found in Mandelis’ best man bank account which were deposited by the German company was …

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The diplomatic row between Turkey and the Netherlands has escalated to unprecedented level. The Dutch detained a Turkish minister and escorted her to the borders in Germany, police used dogs and water cannon to disperse angry Turks protesting near the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam on Saturday. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim …

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“If Schaeuble continue this policy then we will see bilateral agreements between countries of the [European] south, there is no other. Discussions between the French, Spanish, Portuguese and Greek diplomacy are already on the way. We do not cede the euro to anyone, if Germany wants this then Germany should …

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An Athens Misdemeanors Court imposed a 14-month imprisonment to the son of a SYRIZA Minister for attacks that occurred last month outside the offices of far-right Golden Dawn in Maroussi suburb of northern Athens. The 21-year-old man and each of three other defendants were sentenced to 14-month imprisonment with 3-year …

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The Judicial Council rejected on Wednesday morning the request of hunger-striker Nikos Romanos to be granted educational furloughs while in prison. With Justice showing a relentless face towards a convict on hunger strike claiming his right to education as foreseen by the law, media reported last night, that coalition government …

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The right to education is inalienable and for whatever happens to the health of Nikos Romanos and his friends on hunger-strike responsible will be the Ministry of Justice and Minister Charalampos Athanasiou. That was the main idea of the press conference held on Tuesday by the parents of Nikos Romanos …

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This is an excellent example of political and state hypocrisy: A prison convict for bank robbery was first honored by the President of the Hellenic Republic for passing the university exams while in prison. Nikos Romanos, 21, was even awarded with 500 euro for his achievement, even though he refused …

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Deputy Agricultural Minister Maximos Charakopoulos resigned from his cabinet position on Saturday evening claiming disagreement with the milk reform. However he would vote in favor of the controversial multi-bill on Sunday in order not to hinder the “proper funding of the country.” The multi-bill containing major reforms of the trading …

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Golden Dawn MP Eleni Zaroulia was fined with 1,500 euro for saying “punks” addressing the Minister of Justice and the lawmakers in the Greek Parliament. Acting parliament speaker Charalambos Markogiannakis, fined Zaroulia for “behavior violating the Parliament statute”. It is the first time that such a disciplinary measure is being …

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It was certainly not a good idea for the minister responsible for the mass lay-offs in Greek public sector to make an appearance near protesting school guards. Hardly had Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister for Administrative Reform got off his car outside the Interior Ministry in downtown Athens, when the group of …

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A scandal? Oh, dear! One more, one less does not make any difference in this country of Greeks and cheerful orange trees. Really. Honestly. Simos Kedikoglou, minister in charge of media, got a girl friend. “So what?” one should ask. “So nothing,” one should answer. If it wasn’t this juicy …

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While thousands civil servants are confronted with the nightmare of unemployment, another Greek drama occurs every night in an air-conditioned bedroom. A man is being plagued by difficult decisions. Minister of Administrative Reform Kyriakos Mitsotakis cannot sleep. “I do not sleep well at night when I know that they will …

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Greece’s public sector unions umbrella ADEDY will launch a half-day strike on Monday, July 8th 2013 to protest the upcoming mass lay-offs in the public sector. The strike will stat at 12 o’ clock noon. There will be a gathering at 12:30 at Karaiskaki Square in downtown Athens and a …

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