The Agora

Two years after Greece's deadliest rail disaster, the political fallout is escalating rather than abating.The largest protests Greece has seen in decades were held on February 28 to mark the two-year anniversary of the crash, in which 57 people died when a passenger train collided with a freight train in Tempe, central Greece.The growing public outcry over how the aftermath of the crash has been handled, as well as the shocking circumstances of the accident itself, has put Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government under intense pressure.Mitsotakis survived a confidence vote in parliament on March 7, but the Tempe issue is likely to haunt his government for the rest of its second term.MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou joined The Agora to discuss the political implications of the latest developments.Useful readingTempe Accident Investigation Report - EODASAAMTwo years later, outrage over Tempe disaster hits a tipping point - Kathimerini

The return of Donald Trump to the White House seems to be causing a reordering of international relations, an end to many of the certainties we had in geopolitics.This has left Europe facing a major re-think of its stance on security and defence issues. To discuss what changes are taking place and what it means for Europe, including Greece, Dr Jens Bastian joined us in The Agora.Jens is a Senior Policy Adviser at the Hellenic Foundation of European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). He is, among other things, an expert on EU-China relations, and has recently been working as a research fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin

On the latest episode of The Agora we look at what the return of Donald Trump to the White House could mean for Greece.Host Nick Malkoutzis speaks to Macropolis foreign policy analyst Alexandra Voudouri about the concerns and hopes Greek diplomats have concerning the Trump presidency and its impact on geopolitics.Our second guest, Frank De Mita, who has worked on several US presidential campaigns, discusses some of the lessons mainstream parties in Greece can take from the Democrats' defeat in the US and the way that political communication is changing.Useful readingPost-election blamestorming or Why Harris lost and the Democrats should nominate Oprah - Frank De MitaWho is Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump's pick for US ambassador to Greece? - BBC NewsWhat Will a Second Trump Presidency Mean For Greece? - To Vima

Costas Simitis, who served as Greece's prime minister between 1996 and 2004, died at the age of 88 on January 5. He left behind a bountiful legacy, which included Greece's entry into the euro and a raft of infrastructure projects.His record, though, is contested by some Greeks who feel that the seeds of future problems were sown during his period in office.On this episode of The Agora, host Nick Malkoutzis discusses Simitis's contribution and record with Kathimerini columnist Nikos Konstandaras.Useful linksCostas Simitis, former Greek prime minister and socialist leader, dies at 88 - Associated PressCostas Simitis and the measure of things - Kathimerini‘This is Greece!,’ Costas Simitis’ rallying cry - KathimeriniGreece Recalls Former PM Simitis as Architect of Country’s Modernisation - BIRNImia, behind the scenes - Kathimerini

Greek Parliament is about to vote on the 2025 budget, so The Agora is looking at what the government's economic plan entails, while also examining the bigger picture as far as the country's economy is concerned.MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis joins us to explain why there has been so much attention on the revenue side of the budget. He also identifies where the key strengths and weaknesses of the Greek economy lie as we prepare for a year that seems full of uncertainty.

SYRIZA, the leftist party that experienced a stunning rise to power from the fringes of Greek politics, has elected a new leader but will it be enough to rescue it from its slide back to the sidelines?Its former leader, nascent politician Stefanos Kasselakis, has hit back by launching his own party, Movement for Democracy. Will he have any impact or is it all show?These are some of the questions host Nick Malkoutzis attempts to answer with the help of MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou.Useful readingGreece’s wounded left elects new chief - EuractivAssessing Greece’s new political landscape - EkathimeriniGreek politics goes from stability to state of flux - MacroPolis

In mid-November, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided to expel from the ruling New Democracy party one of his predecessors, Antonis Samaras.Samaras headed the centre-right party for several years and was the leader of a coalition government between 2012 and 2015, which means his dismissal was big news in Greece.So, why did Mitsotakis make this dramatic move and what it could mean not only for unity within New Democracy, but also for the stability of the Greek government?MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou joined Nick Malkoutzis to discuss all the permutations.Useful readingFormer Greek premier Samaras is expelled from the ruling conservative party - Associated PressTurkey rapprochement sparks rift in Greece’s ruling party - Politico

Nikos Androulakis has been re-elected as leader of PASOK, the centre-left party that is hoping to establish itself as the main opposition party in Greece and, ultimately, challenge centre-right New Democracy for power.Given that Androulakis cruised to his victory, was there any point to this leadership contest? Also, where does it leave PASOK as it seeks to take advantage of turmoil at leftist SYRIZA and build some momentum as the social democrats seek to close the gap on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis?MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou join host Nick Malkoutzis to work out what has happened and what might happen.Useful readingAndroulakis Wins Second Chance to Revive Greece’s Centre-Left Party - Balkan Insight Androulakis’ last chance - Kathimerini

The Agora hosts a discussion on how Europe, and Greece specifically, have been handling the green transition, addressing questions like how the pivot away from natural gas is going.The basis for our discussion is three articles written by MacroPolis features editor Georgia Nakou, and senior policy analyst and partner at The Green Tank, an Athens-based think-tank, Nikos Mantzaris.The articles were published in English by MacroPolis, and in Greek by Inside Story. They were produced with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Athens as part of a climate journalism project.Useful linksIs Greece on track to decouple from fossil gas? - By Nikos MantzarisCan the Green Transition be just? - By Nikos MantzarisFrom pipe dreams to power cables: the changing map of Greece's energy ambitions - By Georgia Nakou