Greece’s booming summer tourism season is facing a severe labor crunch particularly in food service and hospitality Industry leaders warn that shortages are worsening with small hotels across northern Greece unable to open during Easter due to lack of staff “This year is more difficult than last,” said Yiannis Hatzis president of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation Under-the-table agreements in the restaurant sector are exacerbating the issue “I can’t compete with tavernas paying ‘black’ wages,” said Lena Papia a hotelier in Peraia who says she needs 15 waiters Many businesses rely on foreign workers from countries like the Philippines and India but delays in work permits and lack of specialized training persist “It is very difficult to find a good waiter – I am not fully staffed and I am forced to work more with unskilled workers,” added Marina Kokotos of Elounda Mare Hotel Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox A member of the Golden Dawn far-right political organization takes part in a demonstration in Peraia Some polls indicate that in the national elections May 6 Golden Dawn may surpass the 3 percent threshold needed to enter Parliament Greeks go to the polls Sunday in a climate of intense voter anger at the politicians they blame for turning their country into an international economic pariah Protest votes could fill Parliament with an array of new parties and most surprising is the growing popularity of the xenophobic Golden Dawn says he has never seen such an unstable political climate in Greece There are hardly any campaign posters from the long-dominant Socialist and New Democracy parties Traditional outdoor rallies have been replaced by quiet The muted — apparently clandestine — campaign stems from the two big parties' plummeting credibility "There is a lot of anger within Greek society," Panagopoulos says "We are moving to the elections wanting to punish those we blame for today's situation." The mainstream parties are paying the highest price for the country's economic decline One of the most active new parties is the ultra-right-wing Golden Dawn A Nazi-style poster with a Celtic cross replacing the swastika is displayed on the wall as Golden Dawn candidate Giorgos Germanis (right) and an unidentified man are seen at a party office in the suburban town of Artemis Its latest rally was in the working-class neighborhood of Bournasi wearing black T-shirts with the party logo — an ancient Greek motif resembling the swastika They blame the eurozone crisis on what they call international "banksters." After almost negligible support in elections three years ago polls suggest Golden Dawn could win as much as 5 percent Its message is simple: Dump austerity measures and kick immigrants — all of them are considered illegal — out of Greece "We are a Christian nation and we are Europeans as he explains party policy: "Seal our borders with mines high penalties and fines for Greeks who rent houses to illegal immigrants high penalties and fines for Greeks who have illegal immigrants in their jobs." The Golden Dawn bookshop sells Hitler's Mein Kampf and other neo-Nazi propaganda But Panagiotaros sidesteps a question about members' use of the Nazi salute That was how they were saluting in ancient Rome so we consider this ancient Greek saluting," he says a neighborhood densely populated by Asian and African immigrants Party members offer themselves as bodyguards to escort the elderly to ATM machines and grocery shopping large graffiti proclaims "Greece for Greeks." Reeling from a vicious financial crisis that has cost them pensions and jobs Greeks have been turning away in droves from the mainstream politicians they feel have let them down a member of the far-right Golden Dawn party hands out election pamphlets in Artemis on April 26 that "they will enter Parliament and restore order." Pollster Panagopoulos says Golden Dawn does not have deep political roots in a country that prides itself on its heroic anti-Nazi resistance in World War II He blames the mass media for failing to inform voters about the party's real ideology "They do not know what these guys believe," says Panagopoulos Golden Dawn's anti-immigrant campaign has put the spotlight on an issue long ignored by the political mainstream — the large inflow of immigrants now representing 10 percent of the population the government this week opened the first of dozens of detention camps for illegal immigrants Golden Dawn is one of several fringe parties — on the left and the right — taking advantage of the discredited political mainstream Several analysts say this fragmentation will make governing difficult — a reminder of the instability and social unrest of Weimar Germany in the 1930s Become an NPR sponsor Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. Greece will soon be home to the largest state-of-the-art science and technology park (STP) and startup hub in Southeastern Europe, with the Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center (Thess INTEC). Thess INTEC will potentially become the most important research and innovation project in Greece and the Balkans to date, providing a synergy of academia, research, high-tech industries, facilities and geopolitical location. There has already been interest from international investors according to a government spokesperson overseeing the project. It is slated to become the first large-scale science and technology infrastructure in Greece, stretching over 76 hectares in the municipality of Thermaikos (Thermaic Gulf), located very close to Thessaloniki’s International Airport, in the suburb of Peraia, some 15km of Thessaloniki’s city centre. So far, more than 70 companies as well as universities and research centres have signed MoUs (a memorandum of understanding) with Thess INTEC. “The aim, is to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure with 4th generation technologies, such as industrial laboratories, machinery, computer facilities, a large-scale incubator and accelerator, flexible office space, collaboration and networking areas, a theme park for education and recreation, a conference centre, cycle paths and green spaces,” said Deputy Development and Investment Minister Christos Dimas, who is overseeing the project. “Thess INTEC will have a significant contribution to Greece’s digital transformation and will help the country develop all necessary competencies needed in today’s knowledge economy. “It will be the leading actor in Thessaloniki’s transition to a major regional research and innovation hub, being at the same time the number one choice of any multinational or Greek innovative company that wishes to locate its centre of activities in the area of Southeast Europe.” The planning of Thess INTEC started back in 2017 and it is a continuous and ever evolving process aspiring to bring to life Greece’s own Silicon Valley. The project has been included in the country’s Recovery Fund and will be financed with approximately €35 million. Improvements in transportation, shifts in tenant mix, technological changes in telecommunications, changes in the lifestyle of future employees, and other factors such as climate change or the recent pandemic may modify the layout, the structures, and the optimum mix of uses, even in the final stages of the facilities’ design and construction, to stimulate synergies between researchers and extrovert businesses, leading to innovative products and services. Follow all the action from the Etihad Stadium as City and Chelsea go head-to-head Police are investigating reports woman suffocated before rescuers reached her Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in Greece are investigating reports suggesting a woman woke up in a coffin after being buried, only to suffocate to death before rescuers could reach her. People visiting a cemetery in the town of Peraia, near Thessaloniki, on Thursday morning reported hearing banging sounds and muffled shouting from inside the woman’s grave, an hour after she had been buried. They called the police who began digging up the grave to try and save her. However, she was found dead when they reached the coffin. The 49-year-old woman had been declared dead by doctors treating her for cancer at a private Thessaloniki clinic early on Thursday morning. A coroner is now expected to examine the body. A doctor at the scene who checked the mother-of-two's body said she could not believe the woman was not dead when she was buried. "As soon as the body was exhumed a cardiogram was conducted that confirmed the woman was dead," she was reported by The Guardian as saying. “Her eyes, it is true, were open but the coroner can give an explanation for that." The woman's relatives are now considering filing a complaint against the doctors treating her for cancer, Greek media reports. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies The Joint Ministerial Decision to transform the School of Higher Tourism Education (SAEK) of Macedonia into the first nationwide Experimental School of Higher Vocational Training in Tourism under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism was signed by Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Rapti in collaboration with Deputy Minister of Education Religious Affairs and Sports Ioanna Lytrivi This decision strengthens the integration of experimentation into tourism education currently provided by the Ministry of Tourism The Macedonian Tourism Experimental School is located in the educational hotel Xenia-Helios in Peraia it has offered two experimental specialties: Travel and Tourism Operations Executive and Hospitality Operations Executive with specialization in the area of room management scientific and research know-how has been provided by the Association of Tourism Bureaus of Macedonia-Thrace An array of proposals for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve in Thessaloniki The northern city transforms on the last night of the year to become one with the people shops offer food to revellers on the streets and barbecues are lit all over the city for a singular festive mood If, however, you prefer some detachment from the city noise, or would like to treat your partner to a special New Year’s Eve gift, a night at the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki, decorated to perfection for the festive season The hotel’s festive-season decorations are by interior designer Dimitris Brazas The impressively decorated Christmas tree is a great backdrop for Instagram shots After enjoying a perfect night’s sleep on a soft Hyatt mattress guests can head down to the spa for further relaxation or have a first cocktail for the day at the delightfully decorated dining area As for the New Year’s Eve celebration couples and groups of friends may enjoy the wonderful dishes available on the festive-season menu and also try any of the hotel’s signature cocktails while making a New Year’s wish under the stars at the hotel’s garden don’t forget to wake up on time – or not sleep at all – for the New Year’s Day brunch at the Hyatt’s specially designed buffet Individuals who choose to stay at home for New Year’s Eve can also enjoy the Hyatt’s special menu for the night Thessaloniki-Regencycasinos.gr Epanomi, Thessaloniki, tel. +30 2392044567 3 Halkis, Pylaia, Hortiatis, tel. +30 2315519333 If wanting a custom fine-dining experience for New Year at a warm environment, Duck is a fine choice. The restaurant’s well-known, award-winning and experienced chef Ioanna Theodorakaki is inspired by fresh ingredients to make refined dishes for the soul. Detached from the city noise, the restaurant, Thessaloniki’s best-kept secret, is good reason for Athenians to head to the marvellous northern city. 17 Palaion Patron Germanou, tel. +30 2310223307 Local is a hangout for all times of day, every day of the week, and is a particularly special place to be at during the festive season. Making a stop at this place of cosy surrounds during shopping or a night out is highly recommended. The spot gathers mixed crowds for a vibrant, uplifting atmosphere, ideal for enjoying your favourite aperitif or the spot’s signature dish, the tagliata, as regulars pointed out to us. The place is in the heart of the city. 33 Palaion Patron Germanou, tel +30 2310-242020 The festive season, especially New Year’s Eve, is ideal for a walk around the city. The relaxation of the experience can be accentuated with a fine aperol or a good-tasting aperitif at the city’s very first spritzeria, Gioulietta Spritzeria. It serves anything you may have ordered at an authentic Roman aperitivo bar while in the Italian capital, from bitter biz bermouth to classic aperol spritz. Drinks here can also be combined with a cheese platter. featuring interwar period architectural design and until recently home to the café Toms now hosts a new café-restaurant-bar It has been a while now since the Armenoville a combination of dessert and ice cream with a velvety texture it is adored by both ice cream enthusiasts and cream cake aficionados The sweet was established and popularized by the traditional confectionary shop Armenoville now modernised with minimal design and elegant exterior colours The spot offers a number of variations of the classic Armenonville sweet We singled out the version with Chios mastic majestic cream and a layer of kataifi – a must for all visitors Peraia has a high level of seismic activity Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 630 quakes on average per year in or near Peraia Peraia has had at least 9 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 10 to 15 years The depth of the quake is unknown.The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so) Peraia has had 2 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or above There were also 12 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel The quake had a moderate depth of 109 km (68 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) soutzouk loukou is also known as “bombídia.” The authentic soutzouk loukou is served either with Russian salad or with paprika and is often accompanied by fried potatoes They stand out because they are small in size and truly addictive we walked many kilometers through various neighborhoods to discover where you can find the tastiest varieties Thessalonians, known for their love of food, often arrange lunch gatherings at the usually small places that serve soutzouk loukou to enjoy them with friends and a glass of retsina This is the case at the legendary Bombídia (Vasileos Irakleiou 35-37 Their soutzouk loukou is fragrant with spices and serves as a clever excuse for meet-ups The same is true at Kameni Gonia (Vasilissis Olgas 72 which has been grilling bombídia since 1960 you’ll find Soutzouk Loukou of Lampros (Olympiou Diamanti 23 a historic tavern that has now passed into the hands of his son Panagiotis who continues to grill his father’s famous soutzouk loukou with the same recipe The Russian salad they make is a must-have side and ordering a second portion is quite normal since by the time the first one reaches the table you’ll see all of Thessaloniki passing through and the portions are served with plenty of smoked paprika on the side Another establishment of the same age is Diagonios (Pedestrian Street Stratigou Kallari 13 which has a more cosmopolitan character but serves equally delicious bombídia the soutzouk loukou is one of the reasons to venture outside the city Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr