Greece

Thousands protest in Athens against austerity and in support of the SYRIZA government, June 17.

Greece: Thousands protest austerity, as SYRIZA refuses demands for more cuts

Thousands of Greek people took to the streets of Athens on June 17 to reject austerity measures and support the SYRIZA-led government, that day.

Greece talks: Troika turn screws in new bid to break SYRIZA

For a while in late May, it looked as if negotiations over terms for releasing the last 鈧7.2 billion owed to Greece under its second bailout package with the 鈥淭roika鈥 of the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund might have some chance of success. The commentary from the SYRIZA-led Greek government's negotiators and from its creditors was of 鈥渇ruitful discussions鈥 and 鈥渕eaningful progress鈥. Greek government spokespeople even spoke of reaching an agreement 鈥渨ithin a week or two鈥, at the latest by the June 18 meeting of the eurozone finance ministers.

Greece: Public hospitals shut down by strikes

Greek pensioners joined the march for a better healthcare in Athens.

Greece: Negotiations hit crisis point, solidarity vital

Will Greece's SYRIZA-led government reach a last-minute deal with its creditors, the European Union (EU), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) - the 鈥淭roika鈥 - to release the last 鈧7.2 billion owed to the country under Greece's second bail-out agreement?

Greece: SYRIZA insists it won't cross 'red lines'

鈥淕reece avoided another financial crisis by paying about 鈧500 million in wages to public sector workers, but suffered another downgrade of its credit rating,鈥 The Guardian on May 16. The payment came with Greece's SYRIZA-led government, that is seeking to break with austerity, locked in difficult talks with its creditors. Greece is seeking to release 鈧7.2 billion in bailout funds to avoid a default and exit from the eurozone.

Greece: Referendum on cards if EU deal not reached

In a three-hour appearance on private TV channel Star TV on April 27, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras spoke extensively about the challenges confronting the anti-austerity government led by the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA). The program began with a grilling of Tsipras by interviewer Niko Katsinikolao and ended with questions from a 50-strong audience. A lot of questions reflected growing concern that talks with the country鈥檚 creditors 鈥 mainly the 鈥淭roika鈥 of the European Union (EU), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) 鈥 were stalled.

Racism, war fuel asylum seeker deaths

About 800 refugees were drowned in the Mediterranean on April 18 when a boat carrying them from Libya, and trying to reach the south of Italy, capsized. Just three days earlier, more than 400 people drowned when another boat on the same route sank. Refugee deaths in the Mediterranean are rising sharply. 鈥淎ccording to the UN and the International Organisation for Migration, 1,776 people are dead or missing so far this year, compared with 56 for the same period last year,鈥 the April 24 Guardian reported.

Alexis Tsipras on asylum seeker deaths: 'We must mobilise to stop this tragedy'

Greek prime minister and leader of Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) Alexis Tsipras, released the statement below on April 20, which is abridged from

Greece: SYRIZA clashes with creditors 鈥 'Let them try to over throw us'

鈥淎 high-ranking official close to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said the Greek government is not planning to give in to its creditors鈥 pressures and go against the program they had promised to the Greek people who brought them to power,鈥 on April 16. The comment came amid rising tensions between Greece's SYRIZA-led anti-austerity government and its creditors 鈥 the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Greece releases migrants from 'barbaric' detention centres

The Greek government said on April 17 that it was releasing detainees in its neglected immigration centers. 鈥淭he people that were there, were living an indescribable barbarity,鈥 said Greek immigration minister Tasia Christodoulopoulou. According to Christodoulopoulou, many of the detainees were illegally being held indefinitely.

Greece: Health fee abolished, medical care strengthened

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on April 2 that his government would strengthen the country's public health system by the hiring of 4500 extra staff and abolishing a compulsory 鈧5 fee for treatment at public hospitals, that day. The measure forms part of a broad package of reforms aimed at overhauling the country鈥檚 broken medical system by providing universal access to quality healthcare.

Greece debates SYRIZA proposal to investigate loans

The Greek parliament has debated a proposal to establish a committee to investigate loan agreements between previous governments and international lenders, on March 31. The motion, tabled by ruling anti-austerity party SYRIZA, would examine credit accords dating back to 2009 with organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the European Central Bank.