Download Name, Surname

United Kingdom
COUNTRY PROFILE GREECE
DG COMMUNICATION
REPRESENTATION IN ATHENS
June, 2016
CONTENTS
FACT SHEET ............................................................................................................................. 3
HOT ISSUES ............................................................................................................................. 4
“First review” concluded at last ................................................................................................... 4
Eurogroup agrees on road map for the debt ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
More than 50,000 migrants stranded following border closure......................................................... 4
EU-Turkey deal ......................................................................................................................... 4
POLITICS ................................................................................................................................. 5
Current political situation ........................................................................................................... 5
Political forces at a glance .......................................................................................................... 5
Electoral law ............................................................................................................................. 9
Demographics........................................................................................................................... 9
Current economic situation ....................................................................................................... 10
Financial assistance to Greece .................................................................................................. 10
Latest state of play.................................................................................................................. 10
Technical assistance to Greece.................................................................................................. 11
Unemployment ....................................................................................................................... 12
DG ECFIN Spring forecast 2016................................................................................................. 13
MEDIA ................................................................................................................................... 16
FUNDING ............................................................................................................................... 18
EU structural funds.................................................................................................................. 18
PUBLIC OPINION..................................................................................................................... 20
National report Eurobarometer.................................................................................................. 20
Latest (national) polls .............................................................................................................. 20
Conclusions from the Citizens' Dialogue(s) ................................................................................. 20
WHO IS WHO ......................................................................................................................... 23
LINKS TO INTERESTING WEBSITES ........................................................................................... 28
2
FACT SHEET
Official name: Hellenic Republic
Capital: Athens
Form of state: Parliamentary Republic
Main parliamentary body: Parliament (300 seats)
Electoral system: system of 'reinforced' proportional representation in 56 constituencies.
The party receiving the largest number of votes automatically receives a bonus of 50 extra
Parliamentary seats.
Population: 10.816.286 (2014)
Nr. of seats in EP: 21
Nr. of votes in the Council: 12
GDP/capita: EUR 17,244 (2014)
Currency: Euro
Official language(s): Greek
National holidays : 25 March, 28 October
Last elections:

National elections – 20/09/2015 (every 4 years)

Regional elections -18 and 25/05/2014 (every 5 years)

Local elections – 18 and 25/05/2014 (every 5 years)
3
HOT ISSUES
Effects of UK referendum on Greece
The UK referendum is expected to have a negative, albeit limited, economic impacts on sectors
like tourism and trade. The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) predicts that a
fall of the pound and a decline in British GDP will affect the volume of tourists from the UK (9,2
percent of total foreign arrivals in 2015). Further depreciation of the pound would make Greek
products more expensive and less attractive to the UK market. The UK is the 7th largest
destination for Greek products, with total exports to the UK reaching 1.07 billion euros in 2015.
Some analysts believe that the UK result is likely to postpone the plans to gradually lift the
capital controls. It is also suggested that the EU's attention will redirect towards the new crisis,
which might have an impact on the implementation of the Greek programme. From a longterm, political perspective, the Government wants to use the momentum to shift the discourse
in Europe and avoid further North-South divisions that might arise. There are finally concerns
that the result may affect the 52,000 Greek expats and students living in the UK.
Programme implementation
Eurogroup agreed on 24 May to disburse the loan tranche of EUR 10.3 following the full
implementation of the prior actions. A first disbursement of EUR 7.5 bn took place in early June
to cover Greece’s debt service obligations and repay part of the State’s arrears. Amid strong
protests, the Parliament adopted the required prior actions, including a pension reform and an
income tax reform on 8 May. On 22 May, Parliament adopted a multi-bill with the remaining
prior actions, including VAT hikes, a new privatisation fund and a contingency mechanism
(“fiscal brake mechanism”). The new mechanism will trigger automatic spending cuts if the
fiscal target is not met (3.5% of GDP by 2018). The bill was adopted without any dissenting
votes of the coalition MPs (153 out of 300 votes). The second review will start in SeptemberOctober and focus on implementation.
More than 57,000 migrants stranded following border closure
Some 57,000 migrants/refugees are currently stranded in Greece as a result of the tightened
border control along the Western Balkan route. The situation is pressing in the islands where
some 8,500 are staying in closed centres (former hotspots) as well as in the mainland. The EU
relocation mechanism is implemented, but at a slow pace. Some 1,900 asylum seekers have
until now been relocated to other Member States (out of 66,400). EUR 83 million has been
made available under the new Emergency Assistance Instrument to provide food, health care
etc. for the refugees in Greece, managed by DG ECHO. In addition, the Commission has
awarded EUR 262 million in emergency assistance to Greece in addition to the EUR 509 million
allocated under the national programmes 2014-2020 (AMIF and ISF).
The EU-Turkey deal
The EU-Turkey statement of 20 March has led to reduced flow of refugees/migrants to Greece
(daily average of 99 arrivals). A total of 468 migrants have been returned to Turkey under the
deal. The returns are carried out in full compliance with EU and international law, including the
right to apply for asylum and to appeal a return decision. EU agencies (FRONTEX, European
Asylum Support Office) and Member States assist Greece in the implementation of the deal.
The Head of the Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS) Maarten Verwey is appointed EU
Coordinator to implement the deal.
4
POLITICS
Current political situation
The political scene has undergone a dramatic change in the past years. From the collapse of
the 7-year military junta in 1974 until the 2012 elections, the political scene was largely
dominated by the centre-left Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) (S&D) and centre-right
New Democracy (EPP). The domination of the two main parties, led for decades by the
Papandreou and Karamanlis "dynasties", resulted in a polarized political scene and paved the
way for clientelism and corruption.
Since early 2010, the Greek political scene has been dominated by the EU-IMF economic
adjustment programmes (the “memoranda”). A very strong "anti-memorandum" sentiment
has prevailed in the domestic debate, encouraged by media which describe the memorandum
as draconian austerity measures imposed unilaterally on the country by its international
lenders without any concern of the social consequences.
In June 2012, the two former arch-enemies New Democracy and PASOK formed a coalition
Government with the small leftist party Democratic Left (DIMAR) which later left the coalition.
In early 2014, the New Democracy-PASOK coalition presented signs of improved
competitiveness and budget consolidation in the form of a primary budget surplus. However,
the positive effects were not visible to the population and the economic and social situation
continued to be very difficult with the implementation of major salary/pension cuts, tax hikes,
unemployment, strikes and demonstrations. Unemployment continued to be record-high,
posing a serious threat to the social cohesion.
The New Democracy-PASOK Government paid the price for the unpopular fiscal adjustment
measures in the 2015 elections. Large parts of the population lost their faith in the traditional
political establishment and parties, which are perceived by many as incompetent to tackle the
country's problems and as a symbol for corruption and self-interest. The subtle association
between the delegitimized two-party system (PASOK, ND) and their alleged 'external patrons'
(i.e. the EU) generated various shades of Euroscepticism in the society.
The landslide victory of the left-wing Coalition of the Radical Left “SYRIZA” (EUL-NGL) in the
elections in January 2015 should be seen against this background. SYRIZA was seen as the
new, fresh force and conveyed a message of hope and change in its electoral campaign. SYRIZA
was only two seats short of obtaining own Parliamentary majority (149 of 300 seats) and
formed immediately a coalition Government with the right-wing, populist party Independent
Greeks (“ANEL”) (ECR). The two parties have fundamentally different ideological basis, but are
united by their anti-MoU views. The coalition Government was put under strain in August when
almost a fourth of the 149 SYRIZA MPs voted against the new programme. This triggered an
inter-party rebellion and split of the party.. Alexis Tsipras resigned from his post in August and
snap elections were held on 20 September. Following a clear victory for SYRIZA and a betterthan-expected results for Independent Greeks, the two parties formed again a coalition
Government on 23 September.
Political forces at a glance
Coalition of the Radical Left ("SYRIZA") (GUE-NGL) evolved out of the Left-wing
Coalition (Synaspismos/SYN) in 2004 and comprised a number of leftist groupings. Between
2009 and 2012, SYRIZA transformed into a wide-reaching coalition that incorporated factions
5
as diverse as the 'patriotic left' and former PASOK affiliates. Under Tsipras' leadership, the
coalition went from 4.6 per cent (2009 elections) to 28.9 per cent (2012 elections) and 36.3%
in 2015. Alexis Tsipras is a charismatic party leader whose aggressive "anti-memorandum,
anti-establishment" discourse appealed in particular, but not only, to young voters,
unemployed and public sector officials. A party faction left the party in August 2015 in protest
to the new bailout agreement, led by Panayotis Lafazanis, who later founded a new party called
“Popular Unity”. Similarly, in March 2016 former Parliament President, Zoe Konstantopoulou,
who also left Syriza because of the third Memorandum, announced her intentions to form
another party. Syriza currently faces internal opposition from the so-called ''group of 53'',
which constitutes its more left-wing fraction.
New Democracy (EPP) is a centre-right party founded in 1974 by the former prime minister,
Konstantinos Karamanlis. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the party combined liberal and
conservative standpoints. Kostas Karamanlis, the founder's nephew, became prime minister in
2004 with a policy of appealing to the middle ground. It suffered a landslide defeat in 2009,
leaving behind a burgeoning public deficit and debt. In 2009, Antonis Samaras succeeded
Kostas Karamanlis as leader and gradually directed the party towards a more right-wing
position. The party endorsed a pro-EU stance, won the 2012 elections and formed a coalition
Government with PASOK and the Democratic Left (DIMAR). The party comprises a marketliberal fraction as well as a more traditional popular-right movement. Antonis Samaras resigned
as party leader on 5 July 2015 and was replaced by Evangelos Meimerakis as interim leader.
On 10 January 2016, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was elected the new leader.
Chrysi
Avgi
("Golden
Dawn")
(non-affiliated) originates from a neo-fascist
organization that was formed in 1985. It was officially recognized as a party in 1993. It gained
seats in the Parliament for the first time in May 2012. The party expresses open admiration
for the 1936-41 Greek dictatorship led by Ioannis Metaxas. Party leader Nikos Michaloliakos
claims that he is not a Nazi, but a nationalist who is fighting the “new world order” and
corruption in Greek politics. Chrysi Avgi is anti-memorandum and fiercely opposed to
migration. The party has capitalised on the public discontent and feeling of insecurity by
distributing food and offering protection to Greeks living in marginalised areas. Despite the
fact that most of its leadership is on trial, facing charges for creating and belonging to a criminal
organisation, murder, physical assault, money laundering etc, Chrysi Avgi continues to be the
third largest party.
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement ("PASOK") (S&D) was formed in 1974 by
Andreas Papandreou. It came to power in 1981 and became synonymous with a state-centred
economic model and the broadening of the public sector. Kostas Simitis alleviated his
predecessor's populism and sought to modernize the party (1996-2004). In October 2009,
Georgios Papandreou, the son of the party's founder, was elected prime minister, but was soon
faced with a major debt crisis which forced Greece to request financial assistance from the EU
and the IMF. Papandreou resigned as prime minister in November 2011 and was succeeded by
former Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos who participated in a coalition Government with
New Democracy. Fofi Gennimata was elected new party leader on 15 June. The party scored
better than expected in the elections 20 September and is the fourth largest party in
Parliament. Ahead of the latest elections, PASOK formed an alliance with DIMAR under the
designation "Democratic Coalition".
The Greek Communist Party ("KKE") (non-attached members in the EP) was founded in
the wake of the Russian revolution. It is one of the last political parties in Europe which
maintains a staunch Marxist-Leninist line. The party was outlawed by Dictator Ioannis Metaxas
in 1936. Members of KKE played an important role in Greece’s resistance to the Nazi occupation
in World War II. At the end of the civil war (1947-1949), KKE was again outlawed and only
regained legal status after the fall of the Junta in 1974. During the 1990s, the party temporarily
6
endorsed a more nationalist line on foreign policy issues. KKE refuses to cooperate with other
parties and insists on nothing less than the overthrow of the capitalist system. The party
advocates a Greek exit from the EMU and the EU.
To Potami ("the River") (S&D) was founded in March 2014 by the popular TV presenter
Stavros Theodorakis. The party is pro-EU and argues for a stronger EU that is close to its
citizens. Its candidates for the EP elections do not have a party affiliation, but come from
academic and media circles. The party won two seats in the 2014 EP elections and 17 seats in
the general elections in January 2015 where it attracted voters from the centre-left (PASOK
and Democratic Left) as well as SYRIZA and Independent Greeks. The party was one of the
losers in the elections in September 2015 when it lost 7 of its 17 Parliamentary seats. To
Potami's poor performance was largely subject to its image as "the media oligarchs' party" as
well as Theodorakis' allegedly authoritative personality.
Independent Greeks ("ANEL") (ECR) is a populist right-wing, anti-memorandum,
nationalist party that was formed by ousted New Democracy MP Panos Kammenos in February
2012. The party managed to attract in particular former New Democracy voters in the 2012
elections. ANEL have turned out to be a "situationally adaptive" party and granted their assent
to the new memorandum (2015) despite characterising the politicians who negotiated the
former bailouts as ''traitors''. The party lost parts of its electorate in the 2014 EP elections, but
made a come-back in the two general elections in 2015 elections and formed a coalition
Government with SYRIZA.
Union of Centrists (“EK”) (new) is a centrist party formed in 1992 by Vassilis Leventis,
a 63-year old civil engineer by training who calls himself a “heretic” in the Greek political
system. During the 1990s, the party and its leader acquired a semi-comical image in public
and political discourse. The party is generally reform-friendly, with a positive outlook on the
private sector and in favour of the EU.
7
Results of the general elections 30 September 2015
Political party
EP affiliation
Coalition of the Radical Left
(SYRIZA)
Election
results
(September 2015)
Number
of
Parliament
seats
GUE-NGL
35,5%
144 (145-1)
EPP
28,1%
75
Non-affiliated
7%
18
S&D
6.3%
16 (17-1)
Non-affiliated
5,47%
15
To Potami
S&D
4,1%
10 (11-1)
Independent Greeks (ANEL)
ECR
3,7%
9 (10-1)
Union of Centrists
New
3,4%
9
New Democracy
Golden Dawn
Panhellenic
Socialist
Movement (PASOK)
Greek
(KKE)
Communist
Party
Independent MPs
in
+4
300
Results of the European Parliamen t Elections (25/05/2014)
Political party
EP affiliation
Election results 25/5/2014
Seats in EP
Coalition of the Radical Left
(SYRIZA)
GUE/NGL
26,57%
7
New Democracy
EPP
22,72%
5
Golden Dawn
Non-affiliated
9,39%
3
S&D
8,02%
2
To Potami
S&D
6,60%
2
Greek Communist Party (KKE)
Non-affiliated
6,11%
2
Independent Greeks (ANEL)
ECR
3,46%
1
Panhellenic
Movement (PASOK)
Socialist
8
Total: 21 seats
Electoral law
Greece is a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy with one-chamber Parliament consisting of
300 members. Elections in Greece are held at two levels: national elections every four years
to elect the MPs as well as municipal and prefectural elections in order to elect local authorities.
The Greek electoral law is based on the principle of "reinforced proportionality". A party must
receive at least 3 per cent of the votes nationwide to enter Parliament. The first party
automatically receives a bonus of 50 extra Parliamentary seats. This rule is intended to
guarantee governmental stability and was revised in 2008 from 40 extra seats to 50. It is
continuously being criticised by the smaller parties, which ask for its abolition.
Demographics
In 2014 the Hellenic Statistical Authority revised the results of the 2011 census. According to
the revised data, the permanent population in Greece amounts to 10.816.286 inhabitants.
9.904.286 have Greek citizenship, 199.121 are coming from another EU MS, 708.054 are from
third countries and for 4.825 people, citizenship cannot be identified.
In addition,, 912.000 foreigners were living legally in Greece. Out of them, 52,7% are from
Albania (480.851), 8.3% from Bulgaria (75.917), 5.1% from Romania (46.524), 3.7% from
Pakistan (34.178) and 3% from Georgia (27.407).
9
CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION
Financial assistance to Greece
Greece has been receiving financial support from euro area MS and the IMF to cope with its
financial difficulties and economic challenges since May 2010. This support comes in the form
of economic adjustment programmes, which include measures to support the Government's
effort to address economic imbalances, tackle social challenges, and pave the way for
sustainable economic growth and job creation.
Latest state of play
On 19 August 2015, the European Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Greece following approval by the ESM Board of Governors for further stability support
accompanied by a third economic adjustment programme. This follows the reached on 14
August and paves the way for mobilising up to EUR 86 bn in financial assistance to Greece over
three years (2015-2018). Moreover, the Greek authorities signed a Financial Assistance Facility
Agreement with the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) to specify the financial terms of the
loan. The disbursement of funds is linked to progress in delivery of policy conditions, in
accordance with the MoU. These policy conditions are intended to enable the Greek economy
to return to a sustainable growth path based on sound public finances, enhanced
competitiveness, high employment and financial stability.
This new programme follows an request by the Greek Government of 8 July 2015, after
expiration of the country’s second programme on 30 June. The European Commission
published its assessment of the request, done in liaison with the ECB and in accordance with
the ESM Treaty, on 10 July
.
Related documents
Memorandum of Understanding (202 kB)
detailing the economic reform measures and
commitments associated with the financial assistance package
First tranche and disbursement to Greece
Financial Assistance Facility Agreement (FFA)
setting out the relevant financial information
related to the loan, such as the duration, interest rate, etc.
Report on Greece's compliance with the prior actions as requested under the MoU and adopted
by the Greek parliament in July and August 2015
(223 kB)
Social impact
In line with President Jean-Claude Juncker's Political Guidelines, the Commission, as a partner
in the negotiations, has paid particular attention to the social fairness of the new programme
to ensure that the adjustment is spread equitably and to protect the most vulnerable in society,
thus improving social cohesion.
Assessment of social impact
(569 kB)
Supporting Growth and Investment
To complement the adjustment programme and to give its comprehensive reform package the
best chance of success, the Commission on 15 July presented a Jobs and Growth Plan for
10
Greece. If the country makes best use of available EU funds, EUR 35 bn could be available to
invest in people and businesses by 2020, providing a powerful additional stimulus.


Commission mobilises more than EUR 35 bn from the EU budget
A new start for jobs and growth in Greece
The Commission is also gearing up its offer of technical assistance and expertise, through its
new dedicated Structural Reform Support Service. The SRSS, established in July, will serve as
a hub to mobilise expertise from the Commission services, Member States' administrations and
other international organisations to help with the design and monitoring of reforms.
The two previous EU-IMF economic adjustment programmes
Following a request from Greece in April 2010, the European Commission, the European Central
Bank and the International Monetary Fund (commonly referred to as "the Troika") negotiated
an economic adjustment programme with the Greek authorities. The programme was agreed
by the European Council on 2 May 2010 and covered the period 2010–13.
In late 2011/early 2012, a second economic adjustment programme was negotiated with the
Greek authorities. The programme, which was agreed by the European Council on 13 March
2012, initially covered the period 2012–14, but was subsequently extended two years until
2016. The combined financial assistance amounts to EUR 240 bn, consisting of EUR 110 bn
from the first programme and EUR 130 bn from the second one.
The overarching objective of the programmes is to durably restore Greece’s credibility for
private investors by ensuring fiscal sustainability, safeguarding the stability of the financial
system, and boosting growth and competitiveness.
For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/assistance_eu_ms/greek_loan_facility/index_en.htm
Technical assistance to Greece
A special Task Force for Greece was set up in 2011 at the proposal of President Barroso and at
the request of former PM Papandreou. Under the leadership of Horst Reichenbach, the Task
Force provided technical assistance in a wide range of areas. Experts from the Commission
and the Member States contributed with their know-how and expertise to share best practices
with different parts of the Greek administration, e.g. the tax authorities. The Task Force was
based in Brussels with an antenna in Athens. It coordinates an extensive portfolio of over 100
technical assistance projects in 12 different policy domains: (1) acceleration of cohesion policy
projects; (2) access to finance/financial sector; (3) reform of the public administration; (4)
budget and taxation; (5) anti-money laundering and anti-corruption; (6) business
environment; (7) public health; (8) reform of the judicial system; (9) migration, asylum and
borders; (10) labour market and social security; (11) enhancing the regulatory framework for
transport and utilities and the completion of a land registry to facilitate privatisation and (12)
energy, transport and environment.
The 7th report published in July 2014 quotes several examples of important reforms which
have been supported by technical assistance: 7th Report TFGR
In June 2015, the European Commission decided to set up a new service (Structural Reform
Support Service “SRSS”) which is in charge of steering and coordinating support for growthenhancing administrative and structural reforms. The Service offers practical support and
guidance to help implement important structural reforms across the EU. It also offers support
11
in the areas of: (1) revenue management; (2) improvement of the business environment; (3)
promotion of exports; (4) upgrading the public administration; (5) employment, social
inclusion, and public health; and (6) combatting corruption. It replaced the Task Force for
Greece, whose mandate came to an end on 30 June 2015. The new service is led by Maarten
Verwey and integrated in the Secretariat-General. Vice-President Dombrovskis will coordinate
the work of the new service on behalf of President Juncker.
Since October 2015, the main task of the SRSS is to assist the Greek authorities to tackle the
refugee/migration crisis (setting up of “hotspots” in the most affected Aegean islands,
improving the absorption of EU funds and implementing the EU-Turkey agreement).
Unemployment
Among the Member States, Greece has the highest unemployment rate: 24% (December
2015) and the highest rate of youth unemployment: 48.9 % (December 2015).
New targeted actions have been initiated to address the problem of youth unemployment. In
this regard, the Greek Government reallocated EUR 1.15 bn of EU Structural Funds aiming at
stimulating employment and entrepreneurship of young people aged from 15-24 and 25-35
years old by facilitating school to work transition. These actions of a total budget of EUR 600
m, are co-financed by the ERDF and ESF (EUR 517 m). A total of 350.000 young people are
expected to benefit from these actions.
Support for youth employment will be further boosted by the EUR 6 bn Youth Employment
Initiative endorsed by the EUCO in February 2013 for the period 2014-20. Greece will get an
additional funding of EUR 160.240. In May 2014, Greece submitted to the EC its plan to
implement the Youth Guarantee.
12
DG ECFIN Spring forecast 2016
The recession in Greece in 2015 now appears to have been less severe than expected. Resilient
consumption, the successful recapitalisation of banks, steady implementation of structural
reforms under the new ESM programme and progress with privatisation should support the
rebound in confidence and bring positive growth and stronger fiscal results by the second half
of 2016.
Surprisingly improved expectations
In the first three quarters of 2015, Greece’s economy proved resilient despite the introduction
of the emergency bank holiday, capital controls, and heightened uncertainty related to
prolonged programme negotiations. Private consumption was stronger-than-expected, with
households preferring to spend their bank deposits to avoid potential haircuts. However, fiscal
drag is expected to weigh on disposable income and private consumption up to the first half of
2016. The tourism sector continued to perform exceptionally well during the autumn. Imports
are projected to continue declining faster than exports, resulting to net trade contributing
positively to growth. Business confidence, reflected in the Economic Sentiment Indicator and
the Purchasing Managers Index, has also recovered relatively quickly from the sharp falls in
the summer. Economic sentiment stabilised in October and improved further in December.
Overall, our estimate for economic growth in 2015 has been revised upwards to 0.0%.
Real GDP is expected to contract by 0.7% in 2016, amid the negative carryover from 2015 and
the faltering domestic demand in the first half of the year. In the second half of 2016, economic
activity is set to strengthen supported by a rebound in confidence, the expected easing of
capital controls, and compliance with the conditionality of the new ESM assistance programme.
Investment should also benefit from the successful recapitalisation of the banks and the relaunch of privatisations. Steady implementation of structural reforms should gradually
strengthen economic fundamentals, investment and other components of aggregate demand,
leading to a projection of 2.7% for real GDP growth for 2017.
Greece’s current account deficit is expected to have declined in 2015 as a whole, partly owing
to imports' sharp contraction. The current account is expected to improve further as past and
ongoing structural reforms improve external competitiveness. The unemployment rate is
estimated to have fallen in 2015 and should continue to do so in 2016 due to the lagged effects
of previous improvements in labour market flexibility. Following large decreases in recent
years, compensation per employee is expected to start increasing in 2017. The HICP inflation
turned out negative in 2015, since the impact of lower oil prices and weak demand have
outweighed the increase in the VAT rate for many items. However, consumer prices are
expected to increase as of 2016 in line with the projected economic recovery.
Upside risks to the growth outlook are related to stronger confidence following progress with
programme reform implementation and a swifter lifting of capital controls. On the downside,
failure to fully deliver on the reform programme and policy uncertainty would undermine
growth prospects.
13
6
Graph II.8.1: Greece - Real GDP growth and contributions,
inflation
pps.
%
forecast
3
6
5
4
0
3
-3
2
-6
1
-9
0
-12
-1
-15
-2
08
09
10
11
12
Private consumption
Investment
Inventories
Inflation (rhs)
13
14
15
16
17
Public consumption
Net exports
Real GDP (y-o-y%)
Public finances stabilise yet need for key reforms remain
The fiscal policy measures agreed with the authorities in the third quarter of 2015 as part of
the adjustment programme are expected to deliver savings of up to 2% of GDP through 2017
and result in a primary deficit according to the programme definition (1) close to the target of
-0.25% of GDP in 2015.
One-off factors related to the recapitalisation of the banking sector completed in late 2015 are
assumed to deteriorate the fiscal balance by 3.3 pps. of GDP (2), pushing the headline deficit
to 7.6% of GDP in 2015.
The 2016 budget envisages additional savings of 1.1% of GDP from structural reforms in the
pension system and income tax, and through a rationalisation of spending that still needs to
be specified and implemented. However, further measures will be needed in 2016 and 2017 in
order to reach the programme’s primary surplus targets of 0.5% of GDP in 2016 and 1.75%
of GDP in 2017. As part of the first review of the ESM programme, the Greek government has
committed to legislate to ensure that the primary surplus targets throughout the programme
are met. Based upon the primary balance targets, the headline deficit is projected to fall to
3.4% of GDP in 2016 and 2.1% of GDP in 2017. Downside risks include higher spending to
deal with asylum-seekers inflows and possible delays in the specification and implementation
of the additional fiscal consolidation package. The upside risks to the forecast stem mainly
from revenue administration reforms (whose impact is not included currently in the forecast),
and revenue buoyancy in light of the overall resilience of the macroeconomy and tax collection
in the second half of 2015.
(1)
Excludes the one-off cost of bank recapitalisation.
(2)
The projection assumes the entire amount of bank recapitalisation would have a deficit impact. However, the final
assessment of the fiscal recording will be available only in the context of the spring EDP notification in April.
14
65
Graph II.8.2: Greece - General Government Revenue,
Expenditure and Deficit
% of GDP
% of GDP
18
60
forecast
55
14
50
10
45
6
40
2
35
30
-2
08
09
10
11
12
13
Total Revenue
14
15
16
17
Total Expenditure
General Government Deficit (rhs)
Given the lower-than-expected cost recapitalising the banks, the public debt projection has
been revised down vis-à-vis the autumn forecast. The general government debt-to-GDP ratio
is now expected to peak in 2016 at 185.0% before declining in 2017 to about 182%.
Table II.8.1:
Main features of country forecast - GREECE
2014
bn EUR
GDP
Private Consumption
Public Consumption
Gross fixed capital formation
of which: equipment
Exports (goods and services)
Imports (goods and services)
GNI (GDP deflator)
Contribution to GDP growth:
Annual percentage change
Curr. prices
% GDP
96-11
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
177.6
100.0
1.6
-7.3
-3.2
0.7
0.0
-0.7
2.7
125.0
70.4
1.8
-8.0
-2.3
0.5
0.5
-0.7
1.8
35.4
19.9
1.9
-6.0
-6.5
-2.6
-0.2
-1.0
-0.9
20.6
11.6
1.1
-23.5
-9.4
-2.8
-8.4
-3.7
12.8
8.7
4.9
4.9
-36.5
-0.6
18.7
-5.0
-3.0
14.0
58.0
32.7
5.5
1.2
2.2
7.5
0.0
1.9
3.9
62.6
35.2
4.3
-9.1
-1.9
7.7
-1.9
0.6
2.7
177.5
100.0
1.3
-4.1
-4.0
0.8
0.3
-0.5
3.0
2.0
-10.5
-4.3
-0.6
-0.7
-1.1
2.4
-0.1
0.0
-0.1
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
-0.2
3.2
1.2
-0.3
0.7
0.4
0.3
0.3
-6.3
-3.6
0.1
1.4
0.9
2.0
10.7
24.5
27.5
26.5
25.1
24.0
22.8
5.3
-3.0
-7.0
-2.1
-3.7
-2.2
0.9
4.0
-2.0
-7.4
-2.6
-2.3
-0.6
0.1
0.5
-1.6
-5.0
-0.4
-1.2
-0.7
-0.6
Domestic demand
Inventories
Net exports
Employment
Unemployment rate (a)
Compensation of employees / head
Unit labour costs whole economy
Real unit labour cost
Saving rate of households (b)
GDP deflator
Harmonised index of consumer prices
Terms of trade goods
Trade balance (goods) (c)
Current-account balance (c)
Net lending (+) or borrowing (-) vis-a-vis ROW (c)
General government balance (c)
Cyclically-adjusted budget balance (d)
Structural budget balance (d)
General government gross debt (c)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3.4
-0.4
-2.5
-2.2
-1.1
0.0
0.7
3.7
1.0
-0.9
-1.4
-1.1
0.5
0.8
-0.2
-0.2
1.7
0.9
-4.9
-1.4
-0.5
-14.8
-10.9
-10.5
-11.7
-11.4
-12.0
-12.0
-9.6
-4.2
-2.2
-3.0
-1.8
-1.4
-0.9
-8.1
-2.4
0.4
-1.2
0.1
0.6
1.0
-7.8
-8.8
-12.4
-3.6
-7.6
-3.4
-2.1
-8.1
-2.5
-6.2
1.3 -
-3.7
-0.1
-0.7
-
-0.2
2.3
1.3 -
-0.6
-0.1
-0.7
111.5
159.4
177.0
179.0
185.0
181.8
178.6
(a) as % of total labour force. (b) gross saving divided by gross disposable income. (c) as a % of GDP. (d) as a % of potential GDP.
15
MEDIA
General picture
According to EB 84 "Public opinion in the EU" (autumn 2015), the Greeks expressed the highest
level of distrust towards press among EU citizens (EL: 65% - EU28: 50%), which extends to
distrust towards TV (EL: 80% - EU28: 47%) and radio (EL: 61% - EU28: 36%). Conversely,
Greeks seem to trust more the Internet as a source of information vis-à-vis the rest of the EU
citizens (EL: 43% - EU28: 35%); nevertheless they remain sceptic towards social media (EL:
51% - EU28: 55%). Greeks' level of distrust towards media is slightly mitigated in comparison
with the previous polls. The economic crisis has taken a heavy toll in the financial situation in
the Greek media, both written and audio-visual. The shrinking of advertisement budgets, from
private but also from public sources, have put virtually all media outlets in a dire situation,
provoking the closure of some of them. Private TV channel Mega , the first private broadcaster
launched in 1989 and one of the biggest channels in Greece, is facing severe financial
problems. The stakeholders agreed on 25 May 2016 to increase the network's capital by EUR
3 million to avoid bankruptcy.
Print media
The media in Greece have traditionally belonged to major business groups active in fields such
as construction and shipping. The economic crisis has hit the printed media hard – according
to EB 80 "Media Use in the EU" (autumn 2013), only 6% of Greeks read the written press
(EU28: 33%). There are still several hundreds of local, regional and national daily newspapers
in Greece – however, nearly 2 million copies are sold on Sundays as opposed to around 250.000
on weekdays.
Broadcasting
Radio: The radio sector is dominated by privately owned stations (Alpha 98.9, Skai 100.3,
Vima FM 99.5, Real FM 97.8), with the latter achieving a record of 11% in audience
measurement.
TV: Today there are some 210 channels all over Greece, out of which 8 provide national
coverage and 89 are regional /local. Seven private channels have a combined share of around
63,6% of the total audience (Antenna TV 14,7%, Mega Channel 12,9%, Alpha 12,9%, Star
11,4%, Skai 7,9% , Epsilon 3,1%, Makedonia TV 0,7%). The immediate closure of the Hellenic
Broadcasting Company (ERT) on 11 June 2013 was followed by the operation of the interim
broadcaster “EDT” (“Elliniki Dimosia Tileorasi” - Greek Public Television). The State Hellenic
Broadcasting Company (ERT) re-opened on 11 June 2015, exactly two years after having been
shut down by the previous Government.
New media law
Parliament adopted a new law regulating TV licenses on 12 February 2016 despite fierce
criticism from the opposition and stakeholders. The law limits the number of national, highdefinition TV licenses to four and enables the government to launch a tender. The government
claims that the tender aims at bringing order in the media landscape with was until now
regulated by temporary licenses. The opposition has accused the government of bypassing the
Constitution, according to which TV licensing is the competence of the National Broadcasting
Council (ESR). It is also accusing the government of limiting media pluralism by limiting the
number of licenses to four and trying to impose State control over media by giving the mandate
for issuing TV licenses to State Minister Nikos Pappas. The government invokes a study made
16
by an Italian University, suggesting that the Greek system can support a maximum of four
high-definition national private channels.
Web-based and social media
Most newspapers have their own websites and new information websites and blogs have
appeared in the recent years. Newspapers experiencing financial difficulties limited their
printed paper to a Sunday edition, as opposed to previously daily ones, and based their activity
on their website. There is an increasing trend of politicians using social media (particularly
Twitter and Facebook), but this remains limited compared to certain other countries. According
to EB 82 "Media Use in the EU" (autumn 2014), 64% of Greeks consider online social networks
as a modern way to keep abreast of political affairs (EU28: 50%) and as a good way to have
their say on political issues (EL: 58% - EU28: 50%).
The media and the Memorandum
Most of the media are openly opposed to the economic adjustment programme. The neo-liberal
wing represented by Kathimerini newspaper and Skai radio and television channels is not
opposed to the memorandum per se, but often adopts a harsh position towards the
Government, accusing it of being unable to implement the necessary reforms.
Representation's social media accounts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EURepresentationGreece
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EEAthina
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EURepresentationGR
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/109831176@N08/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ee_athina
17
FUNDING
Explanation
of
pie-chart
(on
DG
BUDG
website:
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/mycountry/EL/index_en.cfm
Explanation of pie-chart (on DG BUDG website:
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/mycountry/index_en.cfm
EU structural funds
For the programming period 2014-2020, the EC has adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with
Greece, setting down the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment
Funds in the country's regions and cities. This paves the way for EUR 15.52 bn (current prices)
in total Cohesion Policy funding (including European Territorial Cooperation funding), EUR 4.2
bn for rural development and EUR 388.7 m for Fisheries and Maritime policy to be invested in
the country’s real economy.
The Partnership agreement aims at supporting Greece's efforts to exit the crisis. Focus is given
in the following strategic sectors: competitiveness and innovation of SMEs, sustainable job
creation and tackling unemployment through capacity building and development of human
resources, environmental protection, modernisation of public administration and promotion of
structural and administrative reforms as well as developing and completing infrastructures for
socio-economic development.
Greece considers investments on tourism, energy, agro-food, environment, blue economy and
logistics a high priority. Culture, specialised health services, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals,
ICT, waste management, trade and freight transport services will also play a role for Greece's
future growth model. In particular, the Partnership Agreement includes 13 regional
programmes (1 for each Greek region), 7 horizontal programmes (Transport Infrastructure,
Environment & Sustainable Development, Reform of the Public Sector, Competitiveness,
Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Human Resources Development, Education & Lifelong learning,
Technical Assistance, Rural Development and Fisheries) and 12 European Territorial
Cooperation programmes.
18
Financial breakdown
More specifically, for 2014-2020, Greece has been allocated around EUR 15.52 bn (current
prices) in total Cohesion Policy funding:






EUR 7.03 bn for less developed regions (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Central Macedonia,
Thessaly, Epirus, Western Greece)
EUR 2.31 bn for transition regions (Western Macedonia, Continental Greece, Ionian Islands,
Peloponnesus, Crete, North Aegean Islands)
EUR 2.53 bn for more developed regions (Attica, South Aegean Islands)
EUR 3.25 bn under the Cohesion Fund
EUR 231.7 m for European Territorial Cooperation
EUR 171.5 m for the Youth Employment Initiative.
[In the 2007 – 2013 programming period, Greece benefited from a total Cohesion policy
allocation of EUR 20.4 bn (ERDF EUR 12.36 bn, Cohesion Fund EUR 3.7 bn, ESF EUR 4.36 bn).
The Greek NSRF included 5 regional programmes, 9 horizontal operational programmes and
14 European Territorial Cooperation programmes.] On 12 December 2011, the EUCO decided
to temporarily increase the co-financing rates for MS under financial difficulties including
Greece. As a result, the co-financing rates for Greece were 95% EU funds and 5% national
public funds. The arrangement was applied retroactively from 1 January 2010 and was initially
intended to apply until 31 December 2013. The EC proposed to extend the arrangement until
the end of 2015. This was not made possible and the EU currently finances the 2014-2020
programmes in full without the participation of Greece.
For the 2007-2013 programming period, Greece had the highest absorption rate of Structural
Funds amongst the EU Member States (97.1% in December 2015), having advanced from 18th
place at the end of 2011. Its absorption rate is now above EU average for all three funds,
whereas it was below average before 2011.
Example of projects that produced good impact and visibility
Innovation made in Greece
The Hellenic Technology Clusters Initiative (HTCI-Corallia) supports innovation clusters in
knowledge-intensive, export-oriented technology sectors and is helping boost competitiveness,
entrepreneurship and innovation. Corallia has put in place strategic, well-organised measures:






a one-stop shop for unique business opportunities and added-value services;
support for the creation of new ventures;
incentives for business angels to invest early on to create favourable conditions;
development of networks to enhance technology transfer;
training programmes to expand the innovation-knowledge horizon;
promotion of an ‘innovation made in Greece’ brand.
Through Corallia’s activities in the area of microelectronics and embedded systems, tangible
results including a significant increase in annual turnover (up 60%), exports (up 110%), patent
submissions (up 138%) and job creation (almost doubling at 93%) have been achieved.
Sharing the same premises has resulted in substantial benefits for the cluster members. It has
strengthened cooperation between the companies involved and boosted research efforts (EU
funding: EUR 3.1 m).
Improved Road Infrastructure in the Peloponnese Region
19
The project involves building and finalising over 200 km of motorway – 159 km of the Korinthos
– Tripoli – Kalamata section and 46 km of the Lefktro – Sparti section. 100 km of this is brand
new motorway (which includes the Lefktro – Sparti motorway branch) and the rest is upgrading
and finalising of the existing motorway. This section of motorway forms part of the transEuropean transport network which aims to enable goods and people to circulate quickly and
easily between the EU’s Member States and assures international connections. In the region,
the new and upgraded road has led to improved safety which is much needed as currently the
road has the highest frequency of accidents and loss of human life in Greece. Travelling times
was also reduced significantly (EU funding: EUR 252.2 m).
Greener buses in the capital
Athens has refreshed its bus fleet with the purchase of more than 500 new vehicles. The
investment covers a quarter of the Greek capital’s buses. It includes 200 vehicles fuelled by
natural gas and 320 running on diesel. Together, the new buses will make a substantial
contribution to the modernisation of Athens’ urban transport network. Their cleaner engines,
especially those powered by gas, should also help the city tackle its chronic air pollution (EU
funding: EUR 48.3 m).
PUBLIC OPINION
National report Eurobarometer
According to Standard EB 84 (Autumn 2015), 97% of Greeks judge the situation in the Greek
economy as ‘total bad’ (EU 57%). Moreover, they expect the economic situation in Greece to
become even ‘worse’ in the next 12 months (EL: 70% – EU28: 26%). The most important
issues are considered to be unemployment, the economic situation, Government debt,
taxation, health and social security and immigration. Moreover, 82% of the Greeks consider
their quality of life 'total bad' (EU28: 37%).
Greeks and the EU: Despite the crisis, the majority (70%) is in favour of the common currency.
With 50% not feeling as EU citizens (EU28: 34%) and 58% not knowing their rights as EU
citizens (EU28: 50%), it should come as no surprise that 81% of Greeks tend not to trust the
EU (EU28: 55%). The Greeks are the most pessimistic in the EU about the future of Europe
(EL: 63%, EU28: 41%). Also, their view of the EU is slightly more negative than it was in
Spring 2015 (Spring 2015: 37% v. Autumn 2015: 38%).
Latest (national) polls
Recent polls suggest a drop of popularity for the government and an increase for the main
opposition party New Democracy. A poll conducted by the University of Macedonia, published
27 May, shows New Democracy in the lead (25,5%) followed by SYRIZA (17,5%). Golden Dawn
(non-affiliated) received 7% and the Communist party (non-affiliated) ranked fourth with
5,5%. PASOK (S&D) with 4,5% and Union of Centrists (non-affiliated) with 4% followed.
Coalition party Independent Greeks (ECR) and To Potami (S&D) are both on 2%, which is
below the 3% threshold necessary to enter Parliament. The same study shows that 9 out of 10
Greeks are not satisfied with the government’s performance and even Syriza voters are largely
dissatisfied (70%).74% of respondents forecast that households’ economic conditions will
worsen in the next 12 months.
Conclusions from the Citizens' Dialogue(s)
20
The most recent Citizens’ Dialogue took place in April 2015 when VP Katainen visited Athens.
An event entitled “Invest in Europe – the future of Europe” gathered some 350 people. The
dialogue was very lively between the VP and the audience, composed by some 200 students
as well as representatives of regional and local authorities, public administration and
academics. VP Katainen was particularly pleased with the participation of so many students
and characterised it as ”the best dialogue” he had participated in. The dialogue was widely
promoted in social media.
21
Government sworn in on 23 September 2015
ANEL Independent Greeks
* Independent
Prime Minister
Vice President of the Government [with coordinating role for
economic matters]
Minister of State
Minister of State responsible for Coordinating Government
Operations
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government
Spokeswoman
Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction
Deputy Minister
Alternate Minister responsible for Administrative Reform
Alternate Minister responsible for Citizen Protection
Alternate Minister responsible for Migration Policy
Deputy Minister responsible for Macedonia/Thrace
Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism
Alternate Minister responsible for Tourism
Deputy Minister responsible for NSRF issues
Deputy Minister responsible for Industry
Minister of National Defence
Alternate Minister
Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs
Alternate Minister
Alternate Minister responsible for Research and Innovation
Deputy Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Alternate Minister responsible for EU affairs
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights
Alternate Minister responsible for Corruption issues
Minister of Labour, Social Insurance and Social Solidarity
Alternate Minister responsible for Social Solidarity issues
Alternate Minister responsible for the Fight against Unemployment
Deputy Minister responsible for Social Insurance issues
Minister of Health
Alternate Minister of Health
Minister of Culture and Sports
Deputy Minister of Sports
Minister of Finance
Alternate Minister
Alternate Minister
Minister of Environment and Energy
Alternate Minister responsible for Environment
Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks
Deputy Minister
Minister of Shipping and Island Policy
Minister of Rural Development and Food
Alternate Minister
Alexis Tsipras
SYRIZA
Nikos Pappas
SYRIZA
Giannis Dragasakis
Alekos Flampouraris
Terrens Quick
Olga Gerovasili
Panos Kouroumplis
Giannis Balafas
Christoforos Vernardakis
Nikos Toskas
Giannis Mouzalas
Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha
Georgios Stathakis
Elena Kountoura
Alexis Charitsis
Theodora Tzakri
Panos Kammenos
Dimitris Vitsas
Nikos Filis
Sia Anagnostopoulou
Kostas Fotakis
Theodosis Pelegrinis
Nikos Kotzias
Nikos Xydakis
Dimitris Mardas
Giannis Amanatidis
Nikos Paraskevopoulos
Dimitris
Papangelopoulos
Georgios Katrougalos
Theano Fotiou
Rania Antonopoulou
Anastasios Petropoulos
Andreas Xanthos
Pavlos Polakis
Aristidis Baltas
Stavros Kontonis
Euclid Tsakalotos
Tryfon Alexiadis
Giorgos Chouliarakis
Panos Skourletis
Giannis Tsironis
Christos Spirtzis
Theodoros Dritsas
Evangelos Apostolou
Markos Bolaris
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
ANEL
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
*
ANEL
SYRIZA
ANEL
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
ANEL
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
*
*
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
*
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
*
*
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
*
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
SYRIZA
22
WHO IS WHO
Head of State
President of the Republic
(as of 13/3/2015)
Mr Prokopis PAVLOPOULOS
http://www.presidency.gr/
Prime Minister
Alexis TSIPRAS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/ViografikaStoicheia/?MPId=b57035f7-43e4-48e9-a541-b9d153eb5eab
Vice President of the Government
with coordinating role for economic
matters
Giannis DRAGASSAKIS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viografika
-Stoicheia/?MPId=69c27f82-03da-43d9-8bc7c52051d0f176
Minister of Finance
Minister of State
Deputy Minister to the Prime
Minister/ Government
Spokesperson
Nikos PAPPAS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/
Ana-Koinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=e14d5e436ac0-47e3-a5b4-633dfb423dd5
Olga GEROVASILI
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=c8eb984e-e3b5-4315-b80ca434013cf31f
Alternate Minister of Finance
Alternate Minister of Finance
23
Euclid TSAKALOTOS
Tryfon ALEXIADIS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viografika
-Stoicheia/?MPId=94978a5c-ac45-4d1d-a7daeebb0784b82e
http://alexiadistrifon.blogspot.com
Minister of Economy, Development and
Tourism
Alternate Minister responsible for
Tourism
Georgios STATHAKIS
Elena KOUNTOURA
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viografika
-Stoicheia/?MPId=704b0595-4422-4318-8e50c8a868516897
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=330cb710-0d04-4ca5-993dea32129457aa
Deputy Minister responsible for industry
Minister of Interior and
Administrative Reconstruction
Giorgos CHOULIARAKIS
Deputy Minister responsible for
NSRF issues
Alexis CHARITSIS
Deputy Minister of Interior and
Administrative Reconstruction
Theodora TZAKRI
Panagiotis KOUROUMPLIS
Giannis BALAFAS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/AnaKoinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=fe5bd1fe-e32f-4c4ea947-fd1b94f83413
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=bd8b7e2b-656b-44899686-2c2d8f68f9fd
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/
Ana-Koinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=66eb2f900d8b-43c1-b6c4-a43400fc077d
Alternate Minister responsible for
Administrative Reforms
Alternate Minister responsible for
Civil Protection
Alternate Minister responsible
for Migration Policy
Christoforos VERNARDAKIS
Nikos TOSKAS
Giannis MOUZALAS
http://www.vernardakis.gr/uplmed/File/CV-englishvernardakis.pdf
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=ec5c77b5-2c39-4e58-8d53a43401585c39
24
Deputy Minister responsible for
Macedonia/Thrace
Maria KOLLIA-TSAROUCHA
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viografika
-Stoicheia/?MPId=44198c32-4ec3-4644-8903391c65512702
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of National Defence
Panos KAMMENOS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=627c6800-82f2-4b66-83e63f8dcc78ee37
Alternate Minister responsible for EU
affairs
Alternate Minister of National
Defence
Dimitris VITSAS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/
Ana-Koinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=d603c8853277-41f5-9cb8-a43400d5ed4c
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nikos XYDAKIS
Dimitris MARDAS
http://www.mfa.gr/en/leadership/minister/theminister.html
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=9285b38f-6e20-452c-bbc5a43400fcae7d
http://www.mfa.gr/en/leadership/deputyministers/deputy-minister-dimitriosmardas.html
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Justice, Transparency
and Human Rights
Alternate Minister for Corruption
Issues
Dimitris PAPANGELOPOULOS
Nikos KOTZIAS
Giannis AMANATIDIS
Nikos PARASKEVOPOULOS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/AnaKoinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=6a54b198-aaf2-4f208d72-f0cb1364263a
http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/site/en/Leadership/C
urriculumVitae.aspx
Minister of Labour, Social Insurance
and Social Solidarity
Alternate Minister responsible for
social solidarity
http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/sit
e/el/%CE%A5%CE%A0%CE%9F%
CE%A5%CE%A1%CE%93%CE%95
%CE%99%CE%9F/%CE%97%CE%
B3%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%AF%CE
%B1/%CE%91%CE%BD%CE%B1
%CF%80%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%
81%CF%89%CF%84%CE%AE%CF
%82%CE%A5%CF%80%CE%BF%
CF%85%CF%81%CE%B3%CF%8C
%CF%82.aspx
Alternate Minister responsible for
the fight against unemployment
25
Georgios KATROUGALOS
Theano FOTIOU
http://katrougalos.gr/en/
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=f84488ab-0af4-4198-964ad251de81535a
Deputy Minister responsible for social
insurance issues
Minister of Health and Social
Security
Anastasios PETROPOULOS
Minister of Education, Research and
Religious Affairs
Andreas XANTHOS
Rania ANTONOPOULOU
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/
Viografika-Stoicheia/?MPId=017c0708-a0df450f-baff-a43400d37da5
Alternate Minister of Health and
Social Security
Pavlos POLAKIS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=2f2bd347-51ea-42ff-a3d97e23eb1ea9d6
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/
Ana-Koinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=fca68671e503-463b-9f3f-a434013d5bb1
Alternate Minister of Education,
Research and Religious Affairs
Alternate Minister responsible for
research and innovation
Sia ANAGNOSTOPOULOU
Kostas FOTAKIS
Nikos FILIS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/AnaKoinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=fcbdd84c-999f-4b99b472-a4340144b8b6
Deputy Minister of Education, Research
and Religious Affairs
Theodosis PELEGRINIS
https://www.minedu.gov.gr/yfypoyrgoihgesia/pelegrinis
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/AnaKoinovouleftiki-Omada/?MPId=37813e8c-cd804326-a1a3-a43400d33d2a
Minister of Culture and Sports
Aristides BALTAS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/Vouleftes/Vi
ografika-Stoicheia/?MPId=ee02c296-442047d8-b292-a52500eeb5c3
https://www.minedu.gov.gr/anaplirotesypourgoi/fotakis-kostas
Deputy Minister responsible for
sports
Stavros KONTONIS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/
Viografika-Stoicheia/?MPId=6beb3ce9-5edf4e83-8708-aec27a5f3a5f
26
Minister of Environment and Energy
Alternate Minister responsible for
Environment
Minister of Infrastructure,
Transport & Networks
Panayotis SKOURLETIS
Yannis TSIRONIS
Christos SPIRTZIS
http://yannistsironis.blogspot.com
http://christosspirtzis.blogspot.com
Minister of Agricultural Development
and Food
Alternate Minister of Agricultural
Development and Food
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viografika
-Stoicheia/?MPId=f7cf94b8-fe95-493d-ba06a43400db9279
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure,
Transport & Networks
Marina CHRISOVELONI
http://www.yme.gr/?getwhat=1&oid=1272&id=&ti
d=1358
Minister of Shipping and Island Policy
Evangelos APOSTOLOU
Markos BOLARIS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viogr
afika-Stoicheia/?MPId=fe130b12-f712-4675-8f2ac2249ee9756f
http://www.bolaris.gr/index.php?category
_id=10&page=articles
State Minister for coordinating
government operations
Deputy Minister to the Prime
Minister
Alekos FLABOURARIS
http://terensquick.blogspot.com
Thodoris DRITSAS
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Vouleftes/Viografika
-Stoicheia/?MPId=88537272-1951-4a8f-82edb2bcf2b57cdc
Terens QUICK
27
LINKS TO INTERESTING WEBSITES
Government of Greece: www.ggk.gov.gr/?page_id=61 (EN version available)
Prime Minister's Office: www.primeminister.gov.gr (EN version available)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.mfa.gr (EN version available)
Hellenic Statistical Authority: www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE (EN version
available)
Ministry of Interior -Elections: www.ypes.gr/en/Elections/ (EN version available)
EC Representation in Greece: ec.europa.eu/greece/index_el.htm
EP Information Office: www.europarl.gr/
Immigration:
http://www.astynomia.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&perform=view&id=1852&Itemid=4
00&lang=
UNHCR Greece: http://www.unhcr.gr/
FRONTEX: http://frontex.europa.eu /
http://www.eliamep.gr/category/migration/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/greece/
Energy
http://www.energia.gr/default_en.asp
http://www.dei.gr/ (EN version available)
Environment and Climate Change
http://www.ypeka.gr/?tabid=224
http://www.wwf.gr/en/
External relations
http://www.mfa.gr/
http://www.eliamep.gr/
Link to provide user feedback to the CP
For any remarks/suggestions, please contact the political section of the EC Representation in
Greece:
[email protected]
28