Stories from Greece

The ruling party in Greece is facing internal scrutiny following recent scandals involving wiretapping and other issues. Authorities are investigating a subsidy scandal in Greece involving hundreds of millions of euros in EU agricultural funds since 2016. The investigation involves 13 members of parliament and includes intercepted phone calls with the state procurement agency, OPGP. Allegations suggest politicians requested favors regarding subsidies for non-existent livestock herds or agricultural land. Since 2016, hundreds of millions of euros in EU funds have reportedly been misappropriated through dubious means. The seized individuals are reportedly isolated and unable to communicate with their families. The broadcaster criticized the Italian government for failing to address the situation or confront Israel regarding the incident.

The European People's Party reportedly covered 308,000 euros in losses for a company owned by a 50-year-old Greek-American. These losses occurred over a six-month period ending in late January.

Greece's purchasing power in 2026 is among the lowest in Europe, according to Eurostat data. The country's purchasing power is 32% below the European average. Greece currently shares this bottom ranking with Bulgaria. The report notes that Greece is at the bottom of the continent in terms of consumer spending capacity. The source notes that young people are leaving the country due to a lack of dignity and economic opportunity. This trend is described as a struggle for a normal life amidst rising inequality. More than one in four Greek citizens are currently at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The nation ranks second-to-last among European Union member states for this metric.

Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Spiliarakis is set to chair the Eurogroup following a meeting with Eurogroup President and Eindhoven Mayor Gerund Daisel Blum. The meeting took place on Wednesday. Blum described the Greek minister's upcoming presidency as an excellent example. The discussion also touched upon economic growth and money flow management.

A two-vehicle collision occurred in the Mesara region this morning involving a car carrying a 12-year-old and a 46-year-old father. Six people were trapped in the vehicles and required intervention from two regional fire department teams to be extricated.

A five-year-old boy sustained a head injury at a hotel pool in the Chersonissos area of Crete. The child was vacationing with his father and a sister when the incident occurred. The injury likely resulted from a slip on a wet surface near the pool.

Researchers from ETH Zurich conducted investigations on the Metanar volcano in Greece. The study indicates that a volcano should not be considered automatically harmless simply because it has not erupted for 10,000 years.

Three Greek pharmaceutical companies have constructed three state-of-the-art drug production factories in Arcadia. Theodore Trifonos, president of the Hellenic Pharmaceutical Industry Association, stated the development serves as an example for the national economy. The project involves three distinct industrial groups. The expansion aims to increase domestic production capacity within the region. Theodore Trifoon, president of the Panhellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, described the development as an example for the entire country. The initiative follows a period of intense pressure on the Greek pharmaceutical supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The expansion aims to strengthen domestic production capabilities in response to supply shortages experienced during the crisis. The sector currently covers between 10% and 12% of several European markets.

An 89-year-old Greek man was arrested yesterday after allegedly wounding five people with a shotgun. The suspect stated his actions were an act of desperation, though he did not elaborate on his specific motives.

An 89-year-old man is being taken to court following a shooting incident. The suspect is being taken to an investigator in Evka.