![Greek elections: The PM’s new augury for the polls](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/23-01-18_0044__DPC4932.jpg)
A new “augury” by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, even if it was captured fleetingly, triggered the scenario for the peak election time in April, while the discussions were stirred up even more by the statements of Recep Tayyip Erdogan that “point” to Turkish polls in May. Under the instructions of Mitsotakis, his party’s mechanism is raising the pace of the electoral organization anyway and has April 9 as its first stop (few are betting on April 2), even if, waiting for the Prime Minister’s decisions, the last three Sundays of May remain circled as possible election days.
Two days after the Prime Minister told party officials about a first election “either in April or May” and “4-5 weeks between the first and second ballot”, came 12 words interpreted as a “snapshot” of the Prime Minister’s thoughts. “I want to go to Olympus in May (…) after the elections we will climb” he said in a casual conversation with a mountain climber in the Municipality of Korydallos.
“Doesn’t this time require a mountain for important decisions?” asked jokingly one New Democracy official, supporting elections to be held the soonest possible. The April 9 “camp” interpreted Mitsotakis’s recent asides in conjunction with the developments in Turkey, considering the possibility of parallel electoral contests: if the battle of the simple proportionality in Greece was fought on April 9, then the ballot box for the enhanced proportionality bout could be set up on May 14, i.e. in the first round, as everything shows, of the Turkish elections.
Prime ministerial associates emphasize that “temporal elements” will influence decisions on election time while, in relation to Turkey, the government representative confirmed the day before yesterday that developments are being evaluated against the background of Ankara’s prolonged provocative rhetoric. However, government spokesman Yannis Economou tried to play down the tone at the same time, pointing out that “it would be good to avoid a dramatization that something bad will happen during that time”.
And while those who recommend April for the first ballot and May for the second prevail, exorcising a longer… more exhausting course that has started since last autumn, there are still formulations in favor of the end of spring.
Devotees of the scenario support the prospect of May with concrete arguments: it will reduce any risks that the caretaker government would have to manage vis-à-vis Turkey, after its own pre-election period has ended, Mitsotakis’s institutional commitment will be strengthened with an absolute exhaustion of four years , the tourist season will already be running, the new increase (as of April 1) of the minimum wage will have been recorded for good, etc. What is certain is that the PM’s office is asking for “readiness” at any time (and) for April and, while New Democracy cadres are investing in the space they currently maintain as shown by polls, personally Mitsotakis is defining target commitments for the next four years. Using as his motto, as he repeated from the second electoral district of Piraeus, “better wages”.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_0559-600x399.jpg)
Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue
Τhe conflagration in northeast Attica prefecture (greater Athens area) erupted instantaneously amid gusty winds near the township of Varnavas, before spreading south towards Mt. Penteli
![Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/industry.jpg)
Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024
The Overall IPI in June 2023 decreased by 3.0% compared with the corresponding index in June 2022.
![Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cash-600x338.jpg)
Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe
Police said woman, 49, was nabbed 'red-handed' after receiving a folder filled with 4,000€, ostensibly to 'facilitate' the issuance of a disability pension
![Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gps-navigator-in-the-car-P3ACQVK-1-600x364.jpg)
Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024
The Kipoi (Kipi) border station recorded the highest absolute increase, with 457,000 arrivals, an increase of 115,000 or 33.5%.
![Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_1061985551-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers
The Athens Medical Association offers tips to prevent accidents and health problems during the summer holidays.
![Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/vat-2048x1536-1-600x450.jpg)
Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days
Greece’s independent tax bureau, AADE, announced the two-day deadline extension this week, given that the previous deadline of Aug. 31 fell on a Saturday
![Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02tourismos10-600x375.jpg)
Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism
The independent economic research business based in London appears reassuring regarding the effects of climate change on tourist activity.
![Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_620538449-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe
Starting next year, foreign nationals planning to study in Europe will be required to present ETIAS approval for entry and short-term stays.
![Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ice-cream-@OT-600x400.jpg)
Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest
Ice cream in Greece is becoming a costly pleasure with a liter selling for at least 3.7 euros in 2023, among Europe's most expensive.
![Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/eurobank-1-600x373.jpg)
Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank
Looking ahead, Eurobank aims to fully integrate Hellenic Bank’s accounting operations, with this process slated to begin in the third quarter of 2024.