Greece wildfires trigger political debate over party debts

Strong winds have ignited large wildfires across Greece, with similar blazes reported in Spain, France and Portugal. Over 300,000 residents were evacuated from France and Spain as authorities struggled to contain the flames, while technical firefighting resources proved insufficient.

In Greece, the fires have become a flashpoint in a heated political dispute. Leaders of the ruling New Democracy, opposition PASOK and Syriza have exchanged accusations over the handling of party finances. Reports cite that Syriza, under former prime minister Alexis Tsipras, secured a €10 million loan from a bank, using the former Koulouris Square building as collateral, and that all major parties carry debts exceeding €1 billion. Critics argue that party borrowing should be prohibited and call for stricter oversight of political finances, while the debate intensifies amid the ongoing fire crisis.