Athens caught in the middle of US-Sino rivalry
A sharp public response from the Chinese Embassy in Athens has underscored intensifying strategic competition between Washington and Beijing over major Greek infrastructure, with the port of Piraeus at the center of the dispute. The reaction followed comments by US Ambassador Kimberly Gilfoyle, who urged that the port be sold to reduce Chinese influence in the region.
Political deadlock leaves oversight bodies in limbo
Greece’s three independent authorities remain leaderless despite resumes submitted since early November, creating what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called Tuesday an “institutional gap.”
https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/1287140/political-deadlock-leaves-oversight-bodies-in-limbo
Course of Freedom MP resigns from Parliament
Course of Freedom lawmaker Diamantis Karanastasis has resigned from Parliament, saying he will devote himself to his career in the arts. In a social media post, the 51-year-old actor from Larissa expressed gratitude to party leader Zoe Konstantopoulou for “her full trust,” adding that she “deserves a great deal, many more victories.”
https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/1287220/course-of-freedom-mp-resigns-from-parliament
Torrential rain brings flooding, infrastructure damage in western Greece
Torrential rain has created problems at the road network of Thesprotia, western Greece, due to large volumes of water and debris on Wednesday.
ATHEX: Energy and bank stocks lead market rebound
On the day that the sale of Hellenic Exchanges to Euronext was formally confirmed, with a broad acceptance rate by HELEX shareholders reaching up to about three quarters, the Greek stock market enjoyed a notable rebound after three sessions of decline. On Wednesday bank stocks had great support in pushing higher by energy blue chips, while the mid-caps index failed to follow them and closed with minor losses.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1287270/athex-energy-and-bank-stocks-lead-market-rebound
KATHIMERINI: “Navy-battle” between USA-China at Piraeus
TA NEA: Retroactive vindication by the Council of State regarding technical degrees’ professional rights
EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: My General, behold your port!
RIZOSPASTIS: Ports-pipelines-infrastructure: Minefield of antagonism and hazards for the Greek people
KONTRA NEWS: Europe is preparing for war with Russia
DIMOKRATIA: Navy battle between China and USA at the Port of Piraeus
NAFTEMPORIKI: The handling of debts to Single Social Security Fund EFKA hits a dead-end
DRIVING THE DAY: SIDELINED CENTRISTS
FIRE AND FURY: The Socialists, liberals and Greens are furious at the European People’s Party after last week’s vote in the European Parliament, when the EPP teamed up with the far right to slash green rules. Now, the sidelined centrists see far-right shadows in every corner — and are growing increasingly uneasy about the leadership of Parliament President Roberta Metsola (more on that below). Let’s break it down (with help from POLITICO’s Parliament correspondent Max Griera).
GOOD COP, BAD COP: The Parliament group leaders met Wednesday afternoon for a Conference of Presidents (COP) gathering that ended in what Greens Co-Chair Terry Reintke described as “a shitty atmosphere,” after the EPP again aligned with the far right — twice — on two key decisions.
1) Shielding Meloni: The EPP, backed by far-right and right-wing votes, blocked a planned visit by MEPs to Italy to assess the state of rule of law and fundamental rights in the country. The trip had previously been agreed by lawmakers from the EPP, S&D and Renew as part of a package that also included a visit to Spain to review rule-of-law concerns under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Last-minute switch: But at the 11th hour, EPP chief Manfred Weber walked away from the deal, according to two officials. “We should respect the competences of the Parliament and the Conference of Presidents should not contradict the work that is done at committee level,” S&D chair Iratxe García — Sánchez’s key ally in Parliament — told POLITICO. “What is Italy hiding to refuse an European Parliament delegation, with the support of the EPP?”
In the room: An S&D official said that when the EPP and far right sank the MEPs’ mission to Italy, Metsola shifted attention away from the dispute by arguing that Parliament has too many missions anyway and they should be reviewed.
2) Suing the Commission: A majority in Parliament’s legal affairs committee voted last week to sue the Commission for scrapping its patents-reform file as part of a push to cut red-tape. But the EPP and its right-wing allies overruled that decision and kicked the matter to next week’s plenary — hoping to muster the votes to kill the lawsuit altogether.
Tensions rising: Both moves infuriated already-bruised centrist leaders, with Socialists and liberals, from backbenchers to senior figures, now openly questioning Metsola’s leadership. And the mood is set to get gloomier, report my colleagues in today’s must-read.
THE SOLITUDE OF THE (PARLIAMENT) BOSS: Socialist MEP René Repasi — the legal affairs committee’s lead lawmaker and head of the German delegation — publicly criticized the Parliament president, arguing she should have pressed ahead with the lawsuit against the Commission.
Why ask? Repasi said Metsola didn’t need to consult political group leaders on whether to sue the Commission because she has exclusive authority to launch or maintain such legal actions. “It is the duty of the president of the European Parliament to defend Parliament’s rights with all means,” Repasi told us. By putting the matter to Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, Metsola effectively handed the right-wing majority an opportunity to block the lawsuit.
Repasi is the only lawmaker willing to put his name to criticism of Metsola. Others, across groups, insist on anonymity — saying they fear repercussions.
THIRD TERM CALCULUS: Critics say Metsola has been edging closer to the right-wing majority for months as she positions herself for a potential third term. They point to her flexibility toward far-right demands on debates and points of order, and to her recent public line that if the centrist alliance can’t agree on cutting green rules, alternative majorities will step in — widely read as a nod to the EPP-right-far-right bloc.
Renew furious: “More and more we see Metsola in full campaign mode for a third mandate, cozying up to the far right,” a Renew MEP said, adding: “Instead of saying other majorities can pass legislation, she should steer the EPP back to the center.”
But, but, but: “I don’t think she is cozier to the far right now than a year ago,” an influential S&D MEP countered. “She is simply skillful at pleasing everyone — including the far right — to secure her position as president.”
ROBERTA’S VERSION: Neutrality comes with the job, Metsola’s spokesperson Juri Laas said. “The role of the president is to defend the Parliament and its decisions. And that is what the president has always done and will always do.” In other words: she defends whatever majority the chamber produces.
GRIPES OVER PROCEDURE: Some Renew and Green MEPs complain Metsola has leaned on the tabling desk — which decides whether amendments are admissible — to block positions uncomfortable for her or the EPP.
Reality check: Metsola’s defenders note that, while not required by the rules, presidents regularly consult the Conference of Presidents on whether to sue other EU institutions. And on amendments, an official said the relevant service has for a year enforced stricter limits to prevent unrelated topics from being shoehorned into resolutions and legal texts.
Nonetheless: The fact MEPs are now scrutinizing Metsola’s every move — including perfectly normal ones — shows how widespread the discontent has become.
THE NEXT ROUND: A fresh proposal by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reform digital laws on Wednesday was welcomed by lawmakers on the right but shunned on the left — opening the door to yet another Parliament dust-up, Ellen O’Regan reports.
TRANSATLANTIC TRADE
TARIFF WISHLIST TO BE PRESENTED MONDAY: The European Commission is set to present a list of sectors that it wants exempted from U.S. tariffs to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer when they meet EU ministers next Monday, two EU diplomats told POLITICO.
Details: The list — expected to include medical devices, wines, spirits, beers and pasta — will be finalized Friday at the technical level by EU countries, one of the diplomats said. My colleague Camille Gijs has the full rundown.
Wait, did I read pasta? My Italian selective vision didn’t fail me. Several major pasta brands are awaiting a resolution after a U.S. anti-dumping probe accused them of selling at artificially low prices.
Brussels’ hands are tied: This last attempt comes after the Commission said previously it had already done everything possible — from filing comments in the investigation to raising the issue at technical and political levels where appropriate. Pasta and other sensitive exports were not covered by the trade deal struck by Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen in July.
It’s-a-me, Giorgia! While Americans stockpile premium Italian pasta, Rome is letting the Commission handle the matter for now and hasn’t formally intervened — though both the foreign affairs and agriculture ministries are following the file. Could this be the moment for Giorgia Meloni to cash in on her friendship with Trump?
MIGRATION SEEN FROM NICOSIA
CYPRUS TALKS MIGRATION: Fresh from being deemed by the Commission as a country under significant migratory pressure — unlocking support from fellow EU members — Cyprus wants to help shape Europe’s migration policy. That was the key message at a breakfast briefing Wednesday with media hosted by Nicholas Ioannides, the government’s point person on migration. “We would like to see more ideas coming from member states” on how to deal with migration, Ioannides said. But, he added, coordination with the Commission remains essential.
Speaking of new ideas: Cyprus supports a draft currently circulating among embassies that would require any EU country entering negotiations on return hubs with a third country to give advance notice — at least to the EU countries neighboring that third country, or to the Commission.
There aren’t many details, but the aim is to set up a basic EU-level notification mechanism. “The bare minimum is to just inform others that we’ve started negotiations,” Ioannides said. (Berlin and Athens just announced they’ll be building migrant return hubs in Africa.)
A full presidency plate: Cyprus takes on the next Council presidency with migration front and center. Its first priority will be to move the EU’s Return Regulation forward. Current presidency-holder Denmark is trying to bridge remaining gaps among member countries so that Nicosia — which is already helping the Danes — can steer negotiations with the European Parliament.
The solidarity mechanism — the core of the Migration Pact’s implementation — will be next on the agenda. After last week’s Commission proposal, a closed-door meeting on Tuesday provided the first real opportunity to exchange views. According to Ioannides, the problem isn’t opposition to solidarity itself — only to mandatory relocations.
Cypriot fix: Ioannides said the best way forward is for Cyprus to hold bilateral meetings in Luxembourg with several member countries, rather than broad discussions where capitals — particularly the skeptics — make declarations without real engagement. “It’s totally understandable and legitimate to have concerns or to seek clarifications. But we believe the solidarity mechanism is an indispensable tool.”
FAC WALK-UP
HAPPENING TODAY: Of all the EU acronyms that sow newsroom chaos, the one for foreign affairs ministers still triggers the most hilarity. On today’s agenda: hybrid warfare, Ukraine, the 20th sanctions package (with a spotlight on the shadow fleet), and the Middle East.
Focusing minds: Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan for Ukraine would require significant concessions from Kyiv, including restraints on its military and giving up territory, my POLITICO colleagues report. The FT writes the plan was drawn up by American and Russian officials, with one of its architects being Vladimir Putin adviser Kirill Dmitriev.
Lithuania’s warning: Ahead of the FAC, Gabriel Gavin caught up with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, who warned of “a very dangerous phase of escalation” in Russia’s hybrid war that EU countries need to take “really seriously because we are minutes from big casualties here.” (Kaja Kallas, for the record, shares similar worries on hybrid war.)
Sweden’s warning: Nick Vinocur spoke with Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergård, who said a handful of countries — notably the Nordics — are carrying almost the entire burden of supporting Ukraine across the EU and NATO. She called the imbalance “unsustainable.”
EU RESEARCH
A CHAT WITH THE EU’S RESEARCH BOSS: I sat down in the ornate Palais Egmont with Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council, to dig into three of Brussels’ favorite acronyms: U.S., AI and MFF.
“Choose Europe” gaining traction: Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 Choose Europe talent-attraction program is already drawing interest — “not massive, but significant” — from American researchers, Leptin said.
Not a reverse brain drain: Relocating remains a heavy lift for young post-docs — even with the EU offering longer-term prospects. “You don’t decide overnight to move your family and your research group,” she said. And once you do, it still takes time to find a host institution and frame a research project that’s strong enough.
AI bumps up ERC applications: The ERC has seen applications jump by up to 30 percent. “This may have several causes, but I think the most likely is AI,” Leptin said. The body’s panels now routinely watch for telltale signs: errors, duplication, hallucinated content. But the AI tells are fading, and “as people get cleverer, we will not notice it,” she warned.
Horizon budget bonanza far from safe: Horizon Europe emerged as the big winner in von der Leyen’s draft long-term budget, doubling to €175 billion from €93.5 billion. “I will do everything in my power for the next two years” to keep that money in the research pot, Leptin said. But, she added, “I’m not confident it will survive without a lot of effort.” The political fight is obvious: money for research will inevitably be pitted against neglected sectors desperate for cash.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
PALESTINE DONOR EVENT: As trailed in Wednesday’s Playbook, today’s meeting of the Palestine Donor Group marks, for the EU at least, a step toward a sustainable future for Gaza. “We need a thoroughly reformed Palestinian Authority,” Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica told Playbook. “This is exactly what we are working on.”
Keep an eye on this: A slightly under-the-radar initiative just before the 4 p.m. ministerial is worth watching: it’s dubbed as a “visibility event” on the EU’s own PEGASE mechanism, which channels financial support to the Palestinian Authority. Funds flow through it to cover, for example, civil servant salaries and pensions, ostensibly with EU controls and security.
Something to export: While it’s run by the EU, the system is open to other donors — and that’s part of today’s agenda. Brussels wants PEGASE to become better known and used by more partners, so today is also about promoting the mechanism itself.
PRESSURE ON TANZANIA: The European Parliament’s foreign affairs and development committees are expected to vote today to formally object to the disbursement of EU funds to Tanzania — with plenary ratification slated for next week. The move follows letters from committee Chair David McAllister to the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas and Development Commissioner Jozef Síkela urging them to halt the flow of cash.
Already done: A Commission source told Playbook that financing for Tanzania’s 2025 annual action plan has already been frozen — and that MEPs were informed of the decision on Wednesday.
Repression fears: The Commission’s initial proposal to disburse funds was based on a positive opinion from EU countries. But that endorsement came before last month’s election — and the violence and repression that followed. In a statement on behalf of EU countries, Kallas called for the release of detained politicians, as well as “swift and thorough investigations into all reported incidents of abductions, disappearances and violence.”
Back to the drawing board: The EU executive has now opted to reexamine whether its original funding proposal is still valid or must be resubmitted. “The in-depth analysis will also serve to understand how to improve the situation,” the Commission source said.
IN OTHER NEWS
WEAKENED DEFORESTATION RULES: EU countries agreed Wednesday to delay and scale back the bloc’s flagship anti-deforestation law — setting up a showdown with the Commission over how far to push the EU’s green agenda. Leonie Cater has the story.
NO EU-U.K. SAFE DEAL: Negotiations on allowing the U.K. third-party entry to the EU’s flagship loan program for defense SAFE have hit an impasse, Esther Webber and Jacopo Barigazzi report.
TURKEY TO BE NEXT COP HOST: Turkey will host next year’s U.N. climate conference after Australia’s bid imploded. More here.
EPSTEIN FILES: Donald Trump overnight signed a bill to force the Department of Justice to release more information related to its case against Jeffrey Epstein.