Greece Leads the Way: Pierrakakis Heads to Berlin With Economic Figures That Impress Germany

Can Germany Learn From Greece? Pierrakakis in Berlin

The German RND praises Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, highlighting that Greece now presents economic figures that could even provoke envy in Berlin. As Pierrakakis stated:“When Greek finance ministers traveled to Berlin in the past, it was usually as supplicants. Today, I will go with my head held high. I don’t carry requests for help, but numbers.”

1. Double the EU growth rate

Greece’s economy is growing at almost twice the EU average, with projections of 2.2% this year and 1.7% over the next two years, compared to 1.4–1.5% for the EU and 1.2% for Germany. Pierrakakis emphasized: “Since the end of the pandemic, the Greek economy has grown faster than any European average. The outlook remains positive.”

2. Tax revenues and primary surplus

Tax revenues exceeded targets by €2 billion, while the primary surplus reached €10.3 billion, up from €7.2 billion last year. The minister notes: “The increase in tax revenues is largely due to the digitalization of tax administration and the use of artificial intelligence.”

3. Debt reduction and early repayments

Greece is rapidly reducing its debt, which has fallen by 62 percentage points since 2020, repaying old bailout loans early. Pierrakakis explained: “In December, we plan to repay two more installments from the first bailout package early, totaling €5.29 billion, with about €2.2 billion going to Germany.”

The country has regained investment-grade status and now borrows more cheaply than Italy and France.

4. Digital transformation and anti-tax evasion measures

Pierrakakis’ technocratic background, with studies at Harvard and MIT, has enabled Greece to implement digital solutions: “The gov.gr platform allows digital access to over 2,000 public services, also facilitating tax collection and management.”

Digitalization and AI have strengthened efforts against tax evasion, boosting revenues and fiscal stability.

5. Greece as a role model

In Berlin, Pierrakakis will meet his German counterpart with positive data and proposals, without lecturing or giving advice. As he remarked: “I have no advice to give. I remembered that the word ‘hubris’ comes from Greek. I don’t intend to fall into that trap.”

Greece demonstrates that sound fiscal policy, digital transformation, and early debt repayment can deliver real results. Kyriakos Pierrakakis brings to Berlin an “economic treasure” that gives Greece credibility and negotiating power, showing that the country can be a model for other European economies.

Source: pagenews.gr