As European Left Cheers, Syriza Vows to Move Swiftly To End Greek ‘Nightmare’

Ruling coalition is announced as Alexis Tsipras prepares to be sworn in as new Prime Minister.

Jon Queally
By Jon Queally

Europe's leftist parties and their supporters are cheering Monday. Just hours after claiming victory in national elections, Alexis Tsipras, head of the leftist Syriza party and the new Prime Minister-elect of Greece, has agreed to form a coalition government and repeated his vows to push swiftly ahead with the promised economic reforms that

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Athens: The Last European Capital Without A Mosque Abandoning Its 300,000 Muslims

Greek Muslims have been fighting to build an official mosque in the Greek capital for decades, only to meet resistance from growing right-wing groups. Left without a proper place to worship, the Muslim community remains mostly underground — literally and figuratively.

Carmen Russell-Sluchansky
By Carmen Russell-Sluchansky

ATHENS, Greece --- On Eid al-Adha about 250 Muslims attended morning service in an underground mosque in Athens. A windowless basement with exposed ventilation shafts along the low ceiling, the al Salam Mosque is “underground” both literally and figuratively. While aesthetic carpets cover the floors, chips can be seen in the plaster walls. Many

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In Greece Privatization Schemes, Who Benefits?

As with East Germany following unification, privatization in Greece is creating wide-ranging side effects — most of which are being ignored.

Frederick Reese
By Frederick Reese
Greece Financial Crisis

According to the Center of Planning and Economic Research, the Greek economy has grown in the second quarter of this year -- the first indication of economic expansion for the country in five years. With a consensus that includes even conservative forecasters, such as Citigroup, the international financial community is starting to feel that the

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Greek Anarchists Claim Central Bank Bomb Blast

The Revolutionary Struggle group says it picked its target to protest the harsh austerity policies enforced in the bailed-out country.

Associated Press
By Associated Press
Greece Bomb

ATHENS, Greece — A radical Greek anarchist group has claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack on a branch of the country's central bank in Athens, which damaged several buildings but caused no injury. The Revolutionary Struggle group says it picked its target to protest the harsh austerity policies enforced in the bailed-out

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Rights Groups Slam Proposed Greek Law On Migrants

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Europe’s top human rights official has called on the Greek government to drop plans to include a clause in a draft immigration law that would allow for the deportation of migrants deemed to have made false claims of abuse by law enforcement officials. Nils Muiznieks, the human rights commissioner for the […]

Associated Press
By Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Europe's top human rights official has called on the Greek government to drop plans to include a clause in a draft immigration law that would allow for the deportation of migrants deemed to have made false claims of abuse by law enforcement officials. Nils Muiznieks, the human rights commissioner for the 47-nation Council

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Turkey: The EU’s New Border Police

By signing a deal with the EU that may put migrants and asylum seekers at risk, Turkey got something it’s wanted for years: visa-free travel to the EU.

Magda Fahsi
By Magda Fahsi
(AP Photo)

BRUSSELS --- Last week, the European Parliament endorsed a “readmission” deal between the European Union and Turkey, the main objective of which is to establish procedures allowing both parties to return foreign nationals who have irregularly entered or illegally reside in their territories. In practice, this means that Turkey will be required to

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