The Parthenon Marbles, a source of longstanding dispute between Greece and the UK, could be repatriated to Athens in 2025, according to The Economist's annual end-of-year predictions.
The magazine suggests that both the British government and the British Museum are nearing a deal with Greece on this highly contentious issue.
While acknowledging a 1963 law that prohibits the museum from relinquishing its treasures, The Economist highlights a growing willingness to find a solution.
Both the museum's chairman, George Osborne, and its new director, Nicholas Cullinan, are reportedly open to a long-term loan agreement, potentially involving an exchange of antiquities with Greece.
Furthermore, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he would not obstruct an agreement between the two sides.
This, coupled with a recent YouGov poll showing 49% of the British public in favor of returning the Marbles, suggests a shift in public opinion.
The Economist also points to the recent scandal involving the theft of antiquities from the British Museum as further eroding the institution's claim as the sole guardian of the Parthenon Marbles.
This prediction comes as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis prepares for a visit to London and Downing Street on December 2nd, with the issue of the Marbles high on his agenda.
The possibility of a repatriation agreement in 2025 signals a potential breakthrough in this long-running cultural debate.