Adonis Georgiadis: Greece Defies Europe’s Crisis — “Saint Mitsotakis!”

His most memorable line captured the sentiment: “If we look at what is happening in other European countries and compare it with Greece, we will say: Saint Mitsotakis!”

Health: From skepticism to recognition

Even critics are acknowledging progress. The hospital workers’ union POEDIN, long hostile to the government, admitted that public healthcare is performing better.

Key figures:

• 5,000 new healthcare hires annually — half of all state recruitments.
• One-day wait times for mammograms in Greece versus 16 months in Luxembourg’s public-only model.
• Eurostat data confirms improvements in the balance of public and private care.

Georgiadis likened the healthcare debate to a glass of water: “Some see it half-empty, but the truth is, it is filling faster than ever before.”

Economy: Surpluses built on growth, not burden

The minister drew a sharp contrast with the past:

• Under Tsipras: surpluses “wrung” from citizens through crushing taxes.
• Under Mitsotakis: no tax hikes, many reductions.
• Greece now ranks among the Top 5 fastest-growing economies in Europe.

Georgiadis: “Across the world, governments debate what to cut. In Greece, we debate how much more to give.”

It’s the difference, he suggested, between surviving by squeezing your people versus thriving by expanding the pie.

Society: Progress measured in holidays

Beyond spreadsheets, Georgiadis pointed to everyday life:

• 419,000 more Greeks went on holiday in 2024.
• Tourism revenues hit record highs, feeding growth.
• Inflation, he argued, is the “heat haze of success” — an unavoidable side effect when demand rises.

“Greeks grumble, it’s in our DNA. But compared to others in Europe, we are doing better than many dare to admit.”

 Politics & Security

On violent protests in Syros: “Protest is one thing, violence is another. Throwing stones and kicking the car with my son inside — that is blind violence.”

On rivals:

• Tsipras: “A great political talent, but Konstantopoulou will be his fiercest obstacle.”
• Samaras: “I have deep respect, especially now.”

Invoking Aristides the Just, he suggested that like the ostracized statesman, Mitsotakis faces envy simply because of his success.

The Message

Greece today, according to Georgiadis, is like a ship holding steady in rough European seas:

• Growth while neighbors contract.
• Fiscal stability without tax shocks.
• Healthcare expanding capacity, not collapsing.

His closing line captured the defiance:“The big picture is progress. If we compare Greece with Europe, we will say: Saint Mitsotakis!”

Source: pagenews.gr