New Democracy tables proposal to amend the Constitution: basic changes
The New Democracy parliamentary group submitted a proposal to the Greek Parliament on Tuesday night to revise a series of fundamental provisions of the Constitution, signed by 155 members of the party. The main pillars of the revision proposal include a radical change in the procedure for investigating the criminal liability of government ministers and deputy ministers.
New poll confirms Tsipras party leads opposition pack, ND well ahead
A new opinion poll has confirmed that left-wing former prime minister Alexis Tsipras’ fledgling ELAS party has elbowed Socialist PASOK away from the top opposition spot, but is far from posing a serious challenge to the governing conservatives. The Pulse poll for Skai television released Tuesday gave Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party 29.5%, with Tsipras’ ELAS 14 percentage points behind, at 15.5%. PASOK came third at 11.5%, with political newcomer Maria Karystianou’s right-of-center Hope for Democracy a very close fourth at 11%.
Six members of New Left become independent
Six members of parliament from the Nea Aristera (New Left) party have announced their departure from the party’s Parliamentary Group and their decision to become independent MPs. Each submitted a separate letter to Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis. The MPs are: Alexis Charitsis, Nassos Iliopoulos, Dimitris Tzanakopoulos, Theano Fotiou, Meropi Tzoufi and Hussein Zeybek. The decision of these six MPs to become independent, together with Efi Achtsioglou’s resignation from her parliamentary seat, marks the dissolution of the Nea Aristera parliamentary group and the loss of its parliamentary privileges. Of the party’s original 11 MPs, only four remain.
https://www.amna.gr/en/article/997579/Six-members-of-New-Left-become-independent
Greek inflation jumps to 5% in May
Inflation in Greece jumped to 5% in May from 4.6% in April, according to preliminary data issued by the European Union statistics agency Eurostat on Tuesday, fuelled by higher energy prices.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1305412/greek-inflation-jumps-to-5-in-may
ATHEX: Negligible gains for the main index
Traders took a cautious approach to the new week, after the long weekend, as the bourse session on Tuesday at Athinon Avenue showed a mixed picture with minor gains for the benchmark, mainly thanks to nonbank blue chips. Motor Oil stood out with its 6.54% advance, with shareholders expecting another strong quarter after the first one of the year, leading to additional dividend payments.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1305484/athex-negligible-gains-for-the-main-index
KATHIMERINI: The war of Zvërnec
TA NEA: Smell of elections: handouts for everyone from the government
EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Opposition parties: Tal Dilian must testify now
RIZOSPASTIS: US fleet to use the shipyards of Syros and Elefsina
KONTRA NEWS: Why everybody wants to join Tsipras’ new party
DIMOKRATIA: Scandal regarding millions of [lost] megawatt-hours
NAFTEMPORIKI: Increase of interest rates ante portas
DRIVING THE DAY
A PEOPLE PROBLEM: The European Commission will today recast the EU’s quest for competitiveness as a labor-market challenge. The argument is this: The ability to compete with the likes of China and the U.S. in everything from defense to clean tech increasingly hinges on finding enough skilled workers. That message will appear in the European Semester Spring Package, Brussels’ annual checkup on EU countries’ economies, to be published today.
Grim backdrop: The Commission estimates high energy prices could threaten 560,000 jobs this year, particularly in construction, chemicals, metals and transport, according to figures in the package seen by my colleague Zoya Sheftalovich. The automotive sector could lose around 600,000 jobs as manufacturers grapple with electrification, Chinese competition and the shift away from combustion engines. Another 150,000 jobs related to battery projects, solar manufacturing and the steel sector are also at risk, the Commission found.
Brussels’ new answer: For the first time, the recommendations accompanying the package will include a dedicated focus on human capital, with the Commission shifting the spotlight to skills, vocational training, STEM education, adult learning, re-skilling and labor-market participation.
The logic: EU policy won’t deliver if the bloc lacks the workers to implement it, Commission Executive Vice President for Skills Roxana Mînzatu told Zoya, adding that “European companies need this perspective and investing in people is the best way to make sure Europe is competitive at the global level.”
The spotlight is on … Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Romania — countries the Commission says are facing the toughest challenges on job quality. Brussels wants them to expand adult learning, address skills mismatches and reduce risks to social cohesion. Sixteen countries will receive recommendations linked to poverty reduction, social inclusion and access to essential services.
The emphasis reflects growing concern that competitiveness is being undermined not only by energy costs and weak investment, but also by low-quality employment and labor-market problems. “The issue is that too many people work in jobs below their qualification level,” Mînzatu said. “Europe cannot afford to waste talent.”
The big shift: The Commission’s message is that Europe can’t just regulate or subsidize its way to competitiveness and that from now on economic performance will be judged not just by deficits and debt, but also by whether governments invest in their workforce.
BIG AND BREAKING
AIRPAX DELAYED: Co-legislators failed to reach an agreement on the air passenger rights reform early this morning, but agreed to resume negotiations today, Tommaso Lecca reports. Representatives from the Council and Parliament threw in the towel at 5 a.m., but promised to resume negotiations at 1 p.m., pushing back the Tuesday deadline.
U.S. TARIFF THREAT: The Trump administration wants to reimpose a 10 percent tariff on top trading partners including the European Union and Canada, while hitting others with a higher rate, citing concerns about forced labor. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office made the proposals as part of a report it released late Tuesday.
HELLHOLE HOTEL: Strasbourg’s hotel scene has produced its share of horror stories over the years, but this one may take the prize. One MEP reportedly fell ill after staying in unsanitary accommodation and required medical treatment. Max Griera made the remarkable find in a confidential report.
GULF UNDER FIRE: Two Iranian missiles shot at Kuwait fell short or broke apart in flight, while several ballistic missiles aimed at regional targets failed and three missiles heading for Bahrain were intercepted, Reuters reports.
UKRAINE MAKES THE BIG TIME: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the G7 summit in France later this month, where leaders are set to discuss protection against ballistic missile attacks, according to three officials familiar with the plans.
SIGNALS FROM BUDAPEST: Hungarian officials have hinted they may be ready to drop their opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership bid. Hours later, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said he was optimistic about reaching an agreement on the rights of Ukraine’s Hungarian minority — a breakthrough that could help unlock Kyiv’s accession path.
THE (U.N.) WORLD CUP: Germany and Austria may both be heading to the FIFA World Cup, but for now they’re competing in a different tournament: the race for a coveted seat on the U.N. Security Council, as Hans von der Burchard reports from New York.
UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
RETURNS TO PUSH, RETURNS TO AVOID: Fresh from agreeing a long-awaited migration deal envisaging the opening of “returns hubs,” EU ambassadors will turn today to another migration challenge: the future of temporary protection for more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees. Nicholas Vinocur, Hanne Cokelaere and I spoke to six diplomats and officials briefed on the discussions.
Refresher: Ukrainian refugees currently enjoy special protections under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive. The program, which was last extended in June 2025, offers people the right to work, live and study in the bloc, but is due to expire in March 2027.
Why now? Any formal extension would require a proposal from the European Commission. But Cyprus, which holds the rotating Council presidency and hosts one of the highest shares of Ukrainian refugees relative to its population, is keen to start the conversation early. The item will also be discussed at political level by EU affairs ministers on Thursday.
What to expect: “This will be more of a general discussion. We don’t expect any decisions to be taken,” one senior diplomat said. Another diplomat said ministers are expected to provide political guidance to the Commission as it assesses options for the future of the temporary protection framework.
The most controversial option: One idea circulating among countries would restrict access to temporary protection for Ukrainian men of military service age, according to three EU diplomats. Asked whether such a measure could be considered, one diplomat cautioned: “I cannot pre-empt this discussion and it’s important to hear the Commission’s assessment as well.”
“It’s a bit brutal,” another diplomat told Playbook, arguing that even discussing restrictions on military-aged men remains politically difficult at this stage. Two diplomats said the idea could come from Ukraine, which is facing growing manpower shortages. Contacted by Playbook, Ukrainian officials denied having formally requested such a measure, saying discussions with the Commission are still ongoing and that Kyiv has not made any such ask at this stage.
Slow and steady: No decision on an extension is expected before July, diplomats said, with a Commission proposal likely in the coming weeks. Legal certainty, support for Ukrainians and support for Ukraine are all considerations, as the executive drafts the new plan and with views floated around ministers’ lunch table on Thursday feeding into the preparations, according to a Commission official.
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20-SECOND PLAYBOOK PRIMER
Germany’s planned law on streaming services has angered the U.S. But why? The draft law would require streamers and broadcasters to invest at least 8 percent of their annual German revenue into German and European film and TV production, or face financial penalties. Washington says that breaches the EU-U.S. trade pact. France already requires major streamers to invest at least 20 percent of local revenue into French and European productions, while Italy set its quota at 16 percent.
TALK TO PLAYBOOK: WhatsApp us on +32 491 050629 and listen from 7 a.m. to hear if we give you a shoutout.
EMBRACING ARMENIA
EDGE OF EUROPE: The European Commission is moving to shore up Armenia from Russian aggression, just days before the country’s pro-EU government is expected to be re-elected.
Flurry of activity: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos held talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan yesterday andagreed “to accelerate our work bolstering trade and energy links to and within the South Caucasus, supporting Armenia’s economic links with its immediate neighborhood.” Now, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to speak with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as soon as tomorrow, two officials said.
EC in the Caucasus: Among the options for support being discussed are measures designed to help Armenia slash its dependency on Russia, diversifying import and export routes with the EU instead, two officials told Playbook. Brussels will also support negotiations with Turkey to reopen its shared border, which has been closed for nearly three decades and is a major hindrance to regional trade.
Tough neighborhood: The Kremlin has been piling the pressure on Armenia, threatening to disrupt its natural gas supplies, suspend its membership of the Eurasian Economic Union and questioning its geopolitical trajectory. There have been widespread warnings that the Kremlin could be working to interfere in critical parliamentary elections on Sunday.
Friendly relations: The government of Pashinyan, which came to power following a peaceful revolution against pro-Moscow elites in 2018, has been critical of Russia’s war in Ukraine and ordered Russian troops to leave its borders, while seeking closer ties with Brussels.
6 MORE THINGS GETTING US TALKING
TECH INDEPENDENCE DAY: After months of delays, the European Commission is set to unveil its long-awaited tech sovereignty package today. Morning Tech has everything you need to know (for Pro subscribers).
TO DUMP OR NOT TO DUMP: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces a familiar dilemma: stick close to U.S. President Donald Trump or create some distance ahead of Italy’s next election campaign. The question is becoming harder to avoid as 2027 creeps closer.
WATERED-DOWN: Trump’s AI executive order was messy, muted and far less ambitious than Silicon Valley’s critics had hoped for. But supporters of tougher federal scrutiny of AI still see it as a long-term win for their side.
DENMARK TAKES ON THE CAP: Denmark’s new center-left coalition, still led by Mette Frederiksen, wants to reshape the country’s agricultural sector. Our newest agriculture reporter, Agnes Rønberg, breaks down the plan and what it could mean for the future of farming (for Pro subscribers).
ACCESS TO DREADED AI: Anthropic is expanding access to Mythos, its vulnerability-exploiting AI model, to around 150 organizations across more than 15 countries, including several EU members.
NO CASH COWS: The Bank of England is asking the British public to help decide which animal should replace Winston Churchill and others on the country’s £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes. Among the candidates: the Atlantic puffin, the red fox and the common kingfisher.