With an emphasis on Greece’s energy independence and its strengthened geopolitical position, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his weekly post, highlighted the participation of energy giant Chevron and Helleniq Energy in the international tender for four offshore blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese. He described it as a strong signal of recognition of Greece’s energy and geopolitical importance.
He stated that this is not only a major investment initiative, but also a de facto recognition of the country’s sovereign rights in the maritime zones south of Crete. The path for this project was paved by the “Maniatis law” during 2012–2014, and thanks to the government’s strategy since 2020, it now enters the implementation phase.
Reforms with a Social Focus
The Prime Minister linked these energy developments with the announcements made at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), which he described as a reform with a national, demographic, developmental, intergenerational, and regional footprint, returning, as he said, the fruits of collective effort since 2019 to all citizens – especially the vulnerable and the middle class.
Key measures include:
- Zero taxation for young people up to 25 years old, for the first time since the restoration of democracy in Greece (Metapolitefsi).
- Tax cuts for salaried workers, pensioners, freelancers, and farmers, with a total benefit of over €1.7 billion for 4 million taxpayers.
- Additional interventions of €1.5 billion, to start being implemented from November.
The Prime Minister provided ten real-life examples to illustrate the practical impact of these measures on employees, large families, pensioners, and property owners. For example:
- A private sector employee with three children will see a monthly increase of €214.
- A large family with two working parents will benefit by €5,780 annually.
- A young professional with an income of €15,000 will save €2,000 in taxes.
Health, Education, and Transport: Areas of Focus
In his fortnightly recap, Mitsotakis highlighted key interventions in the areas of health, education, and transport.
In healthcare, he spotlighted the “Prolamvano” (I Prevent) program, which has already provided free screenings to over 1.8 million citizens, and now joins the European EU Heart Plan. The government is also installing 10,000 defibrillators in schools and public spaces.
He also announced the creation of an Oncology Unit at Syros Hospital, ending the long-standing burden for cancer patients in the Cyclades who had to travel to Athens for treatment.
In education, the “Marietta Giannakou” program for upgrading school infrastructure will expand to 2,500 school units. Additional actions include:
- 2,900 new interactive whiteboards, on top of the existing 36,000.
- Expansion of robotics and STEM programs to 11,000 schools.
- Introduction of Economics in 9th Grade, and AI content in new IT textbooks.
- Broader digital support via eVivlio and the Digital Tutoring program, including sign language resources.
In transport, he announced that Athens Metro, Trams, and Buses will operate 24/7 every Saturday, for safer nighttime mobility.
Important investments have also been made in the railway network: 100 trains now feature automatic braking systems, and 250 Greek railway workers abroad have expressed interest in returning to work in Greece.
Justice, Security and Economic Oversight
The Prime Minister also addressed:
- The permanent ban on discounts from supermarkets in the event of price hikes.
- The creation of an Independent Consumer Authority to monitor market abuse.
- Police and judicial successes, including dismantling of organized crime and smuggling rings.
- Discovery of 200 money-laundering cases via online betting companies, involving senior public officials.
Sports Development
Through taxation on gambling profits, €2.1 million per year will be directed to 63 sports federations, while all national teams (including para-athletes) will be fully covered for training expenses.
Honoring History and Memory
The Prime Minister concluded his post with a tribute to the Remembrance Day of the Genocide of the Greeks of Asia Minor, stating:“September will always remind us of the tragedy of an entire Nation. A memory which, as Smyrna-born poet George Seferis wrote, ‘hurts wherever you touch it,’ and calls upon us never to forget.”
Closing with a promise to return with more updates next Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sought to present a government agenda that blends energy independence, economic growth, and social support, looking ahead to 2026 and beyond.
