54% of Greeks believe government ordered Tempe crash site landfilling
More than half of Greeks believe the government ordered the landfilling of the Tempe railway disaster site, according to a poll conducted by ALCO.
Triantopoulos’ referral must be in accordance with the Constitution, Androulakis says
“The developments have shown that our initiative for the formation of a preliminary investigation committee for Christos Triantopoulos was fully justified. If we had not undertaken this initiative, Triantopoulos would still be a minister,” underlined main opposition PASOK-Movement for Change leader Nikos Androulakis at a PASOK parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday.
Karystianou slams Triantopoulos’ move to waive immunity in legal notice
The president of the Tempe Victims’ Association, Maria Karystianou, sent a legal notice on Wednesday to the president of the Parliament’s preliminary investigative committee into the 2023 Tempe rail disaster, Panagiotis Kappatos. In the notice, she criticized the decision by former minister Christos Triantopoulos to waive his parliamentary immunity and be referred directly to court over his alleged role in the mishandling of the Tempe railway disaster site.
Bank of Greece: Increased budget surplus in January – February 2025
In January-February 2025, the central government cash balance recorded a surplus of 836 million euros, compared to a surplus of 346 million euros in the same period of 2024.
ATHEX: Two-tiered session on Athinon Avenue
There were two parallel trends recorded on Athinon Avenue on Wednesday: Traders reaped some profits from the five-session growth of blue chips, especially banks, but also remained on the lookout for some opportunities among mid- and small-caps, boosting their prices. The result of all that was that the stock market’s benchmark eased slightly, but maintained the level of 1,700 points only attained on Tuesday.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1264617/athex-two-tiered-session-on-athinon-ave
KATHIMERINI: Council of State blocs the expansion of rural settlements
TA NEA: Government ‘cutter’ for migrants: First sign of the new policy’s character
EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Erdogan has become the monarch of Turkey
RIZOSPASTIS: EU White Bible on Defense: War manual with 800 billion allocated for war industry monopolies
KONTRA NEWS: How the scam in Elliniko Metro S.A. was set up
DIMOKRATIA: For Deputy Energy Minister Tsafos the Greek island of Lesvos belongs to Turkey!
NAFTEMPORIKI: Record number of controls in order to achieve record-high public revenues
DRIVING THE DAY: EU LEADERS IN TOWN
LOGISTICS: Ukraine, defense and competitiveness are on the agenda as EU leaders gather this morning. As usual, events kick off with the pre-summit political group meetings at venues across Brussels. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not in town today, though he will address the summit by video link. EU leaders will also hear from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres over lunch.
Helping Kyiv: With Russia continuing to bombard Ukraine, the prospect of a 30-day ceasefire seems remote following Tuesday’s call between Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy, who had what he called a “positive” and “frank” hour-long call with Trump Wednesday, will brief EU leaders today, having spoken to European Council President António Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron last night. Let’s see if he sheds further light on the White House statement claiming Trump and Zelenskyy discussed America taking control of Ukraine’s electrical and nuclear power plants. (Zelenskyy said it was only the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine that was discussed.)
Telling it like it is: The only real solution to deter Moscow is to “militarize Ukraine to its teeth.” That’s the view of Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, who hosted Zelenskyy in Helsinki Wednesday. In an interview with Playbook’s own Nick Vinocur, Stubb said Moscow’s bombing of civilian energy infrastructure soon after the Russian leader’s call with Trump showed “the true face of Putin.”
But the response may be a little more muted from leaders gathering in the European Council building today. They’re meeting a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a package of proposals on strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities, including new details on the €150 billion loan program that forms the centerpiece of the ReArm Europe plan.
What we’re watching: Expect discussion to focus on eligibility requirements for the loans, with some countries calling for stricter criteria and others taking the opposite approach. We may also get an early indication of how many countries will actually sign up for the loan program given some will get a better rate on the markets.
Good news for France: Paris scored an early victory following the Commission’s decision to only allow companies from non-EU countries who have signed a defense pact with the bloc to participate in the scheme.
Trump effect: It’s bad news for American arms-makers who are being frozen out of the new spending plan. Also left out — for now — is the United Kingdom. “We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defense technological and industrial base,” von der Leyen said. Gregorio Sorgi, Jacopo Barigazzi and Giovanna Faggionato have the story.
Red flag for Uncle Sam: The development is the latest red flag for the U.S. defense industry amid recent indications that the U.S.’s traditional allies are rethinking arms purchases given the Trump administration’s unpredictability. As our transatlantic colleagues report, foreign sales are essential to keeping the American defense industry afloat.
Brits at the table: U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting European military leaders today for discussions about a Western-led peace force. My colleague Esther Webber has a preview of the summit. Ahead of the meeting, Poland’s Finance Minister Andrzej Domański told the FT his country is in talks with the U.K. and others to drive up defense production and drive down prices.
Kallas plan nose dives: Little progress is expected on the so-called Kallas plan, which High Representative Kaja Kallas presented to foreign ministers on Monday and ambassadors discussed Wednesday. The proposal envisages a support package of up to €40 billion for Ukraine, but there’s been little detail and no unanimity on backing it.
The problem? Diplomats from half a dozen countries privately slammed Kallas’ plan on Wednesday. Some complained they hadn’t been consulted, and others are concerned about the proposal to base contributions on gross national income. “Botched” was how one EU diplomat put it.
Hungary hassle: Two weeks after the European Council was forced to publish a separate communiqué on Ukraine signed by 26 countries because Hungary refused to back it, Budapest has indicated it will not endorse the EU’s position again today. “It seems to be a new standard,” quipped one senior EU diplomat, before adding that it’s better to have a stronger text supported by 26 countries than a watered-down one that’s unanimous.
Always look on the bright side: While there is growing concern that this 26+1 system sets an uncomfortable precedent for the EU, three senior officials pointed out that, while the optics aren’t good, Hungary gets in line where it matters — for example by allowing sanctions on Russia to be renewed last week following some concessions.
Getting serious about Budapest: What’s clear is that using the nuclear option — invoking Article 7.2 of the EU treaty, which would suspend Hungary’s voting rights — is not yet a serious runner. And not just because Slovakia might block it. The EU wants to avoid the kind of public breakdown in unity such a move would trigger.
Taking the temperature: New polling by Le Grand Continent out this morning gives an insight into European thinking about Trump and Europe’s safety. Fifty-one percent of respondents consider Trump to be an enemy of Europe, while 63 percent say his election makes the world less safe. Fifty-five percent say there is a high risk of armed conflict in EU territory in the coming years.
IT’S THE ECONOMY STUPID
PROBLEMS PILE UP: Europe may be in the throes of an existential crisis about its ability to protect itself as Washington’s strategic focus changes, but it’s got another serious problem on its hands: its economy.
Time for a reset: Sluggish growth, lackluster investment and the looming threat of a trade war that could especially impact export-dependent countries has put Europe on notice that it needs to do something fast — and that was even before Trump’s election victory in November, as evidenced by the Draghi report released in September.
On the agenda: A euro summit is also scheduled for today, with Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe and European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde due to update leaders on the macroeconomic climate, competitiveness and the need for a savings and investment union. (Lagarde will appear before the European Parliament’s Econ committee earlier in the day.)
Private sources: Leaders will give their first response to the Commission’s new savings and investment union initiative announced Wednesday, which looks very similar to what the Council discussed a year ago. As Kathryn Carlson writes, the key question for leaders is whether they can finally mobilize private capital — rather than relying solely on taxpayer funding to serve Europe’s interests.
Long-term planning: Leaders will also discuss the EU’s next multiannual financial framework (MFF) — its seven-year budget — over dinner tonight. Though von der Leyen is expected to stress the need to repay the Recovery and Resilience Facility Covid funds and lead a discussion on “own resources,” the discussion will be pretty exploratory with only a brief mention of the MFF included in the final summit communiqué.
Defense-washing: On the eve of today’s summit, the European Commission gave the green light to loosen fiscal rules to allow countries to splash out on defense — but rejected a proposal mooted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to include climate change or cybersecurity costs in the “defense” category. “We need to avoid defense washing: that everything suddenly becomes ‘defense,’” Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told journalists including our own Giovanna Faggionato.
Don’t mention Eurobonds: The idea of issuing common debt remains a sore spot. “It would be a surprise if Eurobonds weren’t raised at the summit, but given the hardline stance of Germany and the Netherlands it won’t get any traction,” said one EU diplomat.
NOW READ THIS — TIME FOR A DRINK: The early show of European unity in response to Trump’s tariffs is being tested as capitals seek cover for their alcohol industries, reports Camille Gijs.
CYPRUS ON THE MENU
TENTATIVE PROGRESS: It’s one of the most protracted disputes of modern times, but there’s a sign of some movement. Earlier this week, U.N. boss António Guterres presided over talks between Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in Geneva.
EU update: Though Cyprus is not mentioned in today’s summit draft communiqué, Christodoulides will update EU leaders on the latest talks. Guterres will also address leaders over lunch.
“Positive development”: Speaking after a meeting with European Parliament President Metsola Wednesday, Christodoulides said that, for the first time since 2017, there have been positive developments. As for the next steps? “We agreed that the [U.N.] secretary-general will appoint a personal envoy for the next steps in order to achieve the resumption of talks, we agreed that we’re going to have a new meeting by the end of July, and of course, we agreed on certain areas for confidence-building measures in the island,” he said in response to a question from POLITICO.
Europe watching: Metsola said this was not just about Cyprus, but about Europe. While any possible solution should be done within the U.N. framework, she said the EU would be fully supportive, reports Max Griera. “When we talk about the path forward, we’re talking about a single sovereign European state. This is what we had in mind when Cyprus joined the European Union 21 years ago, and this is a position that holds.”
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
TURKEY FALLOUT: The arrest by Turkish authorities of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been widely condemned across Europe — and sent the Turkish stock market and currency into freefall.
EEAS warning: In a joint statement, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged the Turkish authorities to provide “full transparency and to follow due process.” They added: “As an EU candidate country and long-standing member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to apply the highest democratic standards and practices. Respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law are essential for the EU accession process.”
Political family: The Party of European Socialists (PES) also had something to say. İmamoğlu’s party is an associate member of the Europe-wide group, which holds its regular pre-summit meeting today in Brussels, reports Max Griera.
Attack on democracy: In comments to Playbook, PES Secretary-General Giacomo Filibeck accused Erdoğan of launching “a full-scale attack on Turkey’s democracy.” “The sitting president is using his power to remove or imprison opposition mayors and key political figures, securing his grip on power by any means necessary,” he said. “We stand with Turkey’s democratic opposition.”
SERBIA IN FOCUS: Thirty-two MEPs have urged Ursula von der Leyen to reconsider her upcoming meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić given Serbia’s worsening political crisis, Šejla Ahmatović reports. In a letter sent today, they accuse the EU of overlooking Serbia’s democratic backsliding.
IN OTHER NEWS
PATRIOTS LOVEFEST: Viktor Orbán presented his fellow Italian “patriot” Matteo Salvini with the Hunyadi János Award for protecting European freedom at an event at Théâtre Le Plaza in Brussels on Wednesday night, Csongor Körömi reports. Also in attendance were Marine Le Pen, the EU’s Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, Hungary’s top diplomats in Brussels and dozens of Patriots for Europe MEPs (full spotted in Brussels Corner).
Defenders of Europe, apparently: The award is named after a medieval Hungarian military leader who fought against the Ottoman Empire. Orbán told the audience that Salvini was “guided by the same moral imperative” to defend Europe’s borders. Referencing the controversial incident when Salvini prevented 147 migrants from disembarking off the coast of Italy in 2019, he said the deputy PM “deserved to be honored, not punished” and was acting on behalf of the “whole of civilization.” Salvini, in turn, praised Orbán as “one of the most enlightened people” in Europe.
ROMANIAN HARD RIGHT BACKS SIMION: Romania’s hard-right parties have coalesced around George Simion as their candidate for the May presidential election rerun.
DOES VANCE HAVE A POINT? When it comes to migration, Denmark’s socialist Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reckons the answer is yes. Nick Vinocur has the interview.
MAKING ROOM FOR BAERBOCK: Spare a thought for government officials. One minute they’re representing their country at the highest level, the next they’re pushed aside to make way for a politician. That appears to be the fate that has befallen Helga Schmid, one of Germany’s most widely respected diplomats.
Backstory: The former head of the OSCE, who is also well-known in Brussels having served as secretary-general of the EEAS, was officially nominated as the next president of the U.N. General Assembly last year. Germany proudly fêted Schmid around U.N. headquarters as the next occupant of the role, which is less prestigious than the secretary-general post but symbolically important nonetheless. Now Berlin has announced that outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is to be the candidate instead — perfect timing for the 44-year-old Green politician who finds herself out of a job.
UKRAINE’S HOME-GROWN CRUISE MISSILE: Ukraine has unleashed its devastating new Neptune cruise missile, hitting an oil refinery in Tuapse, about 1,000 kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled territory in Russia’s Krasnodarskiy Kray region, Veronika Melkozerova reports.