21/12/14

[Maik]

The Greek city of Trikala in central Greece will be the first in the world to operate driverless buses in an urban environment, in a pilot scheme that city authorities hope will be up and running by September next year.

http://www.amna.gr/english/articleview.php?id=7857

[Maik]

The government over the weekend appeared to backpedal on proposed amendments widely seen as compromising legislation protecting Greek forests as well as Plaka, Athens’s old quarter.

The bill, brought to Parliament under an emergency procedure, facilitated the declassification of forests and woodlands, even within protected areas.

Ministry officials were reportedly also re-examining proposed changes to protective zoning laws regarding the old Athens quarter of Plaka. The Environment Ministry came under fire for allegedly opening the door to commercial development in the architectural showpiece at the foot of the Acropolis.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_20/12/2014_545623

[Maik]

Greece's prime minister says early general elections could be called by the end of 2015 if the current legislature can elect a president and if negotiations with the country's creditors on post-bailout aid are completed.

Antonis Samaras on Sunday pleaded for lawmakers to "listen to their conscience...the national interest and common sense." Samaras added that after electing a president, the governing coalition could be enlarged with more pro-European lawmakers.

For the first time, Samaras appeared open to the possibility of early elections "toward the end of 2015," he said. The present Parliament's mandate ends in June 2016.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/21/3552402/greek-prime-minister-open-to-2015.html