Referendum rebellion hots up

Very interesting day in Greek politics after the prime minister called for a referendum on the debt bailout. Left are three prominent members of ruling Pasok who came out against Giorgos Papandreou’s decision to put a gun to the head of the Greek people. They are Eva Kaili, Milena Apostolaki and Hara Kefalidou. I’m willing to wager that the referendum won’t happen, but that elections will.

Also, Cyprus’ lamentable president, Demetris Christofias, finished the ‘summit’ in New York with the UN and Turk Cypriots aimed at revivifying the Annan plan. The talks made some progress, according to the UN, on secondary issues related to a future united Cyprus economy, EU relations and internal security; but on matters that count, particularly to Greek Cypriots – return of property and territory and deportation of Turkish settlers – they went nowhere, and are unlikely to. After, Christofias tried to deflect from his own failings by blaming an increasingly hostile opposition at home for undermining his efforts to ‘save’ Cyprus. Another summit in New York was set for January.

Better news for Cyprus is the continuing performance of APOEL in the Champions League. Tonight, they beat Europa League champions Porto 2-1 in Nicosia and are now, amazingly, after four rounds, top of their qualifying group with eight points, ahead of Zenit St Petersberg, Porto and Shakthar Donetsk.