Mitsotakis Draws Red Line on Farmers’ Protests: Government Will Not Yield to Pressure

A Pre-Election Balancing Act

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis used the final ministerial meeting of 2025 to set the stage for 2026, a year effectively entering pre-election mode. His message on the ongoing farmers’ protests was clear: the government will uphold social responsibility, maintain law and order, and avoid succumbing to political or economic pressure.

At the same time, the government’s roadmap for 2026 emphasizes 20 key reforms and 20 major infrastructure projects, alongside fiscal, digital, and administrative modernization initiatives.

Farmers and the Limits of Government Flexibility

Mitsotakis acknowledged the financial outlays addressing farmers’ demands, with €3.8 billion already mobilized, but stressed that the government’s capacity is defined by economic realities and EU commitments.

“Some prefer paradoxes — speaking without dialogue,” he said, emphasizing that the state cannot compromise other social groups or public safety. The road network and traffic safety remain a top priority, highlighting the administration’s law-and-order approach.

The 2026 Government Agenda

1. Administrative and Political Reforms

• Launch of 20 priority reforms across ministries.
• Emphasis on efficiency, transparency, and accountability, particularly in public services.

2. Major Projects

• 20 high-impact infrastructure works, from transport modernization to digital governance initiatives.
• Plans for new railway lines, modernized intercity and suburban services, signaling a transformative year for Greek transport.

3. Digital and Anti-Corruption Measures

• Unified Digital Registry for Corruption Cases to monitor enforcement.
• Practical guidelines for AI integration in ministries, aiming to enhance policy implementation and oversight.

4. Civil Protection and Risk Management

• Updated legislation for forest fire prevention, natural and technological disaster readiness.
• Strengthened national capabilities in line with EU best practices.

Fiscal and Social Measures: Balancing Growth and Equity

• Wage increases and measures against inflation, including retroactive compensation for armed forces personnel.
• Permanent €250 support and pensioner relief via the elimination of personal tax differentials.
• Reduced VAT in northern and northeastern Aegean islands, along with ENFIA property tax cuts in March.
• Minimum wage hikes planned for April, targeting an average €1,500 by 2027.

These policies are presented as a combination of social protection, economic stimulus, and pre-election signaling, strengthening public trust and highlighting government achievements.

Geopolitical Subtext and Domestic Politics

While the focus is domestic, the ministerial meeting reflects a broader strategic awareness:

• Maintaining law and order during protests signals Greece’s stability to external observers.
• Transparent fiscal management and efficient reforms enhance Greece’s EU credibility amid ongoing regional tensions.
• The government’s ability to balance economic, social, and political pressures reinforces its negotiating position internationally, including in relations with Turkey, Israel, and the EU.

Parapolitical Dynamics: Behind the Scenes

• Mitsotakis leverages ministerial reporting and coordinated oversight (via Costis Hatzidakis and Akis Skertsos) to ensure execution.
• Discussions around traffic, AI integration, and disaster management hint at long-term strategic planning beyond immediate electoral considerations.
• The emphasis on cross-party consensus in agriculture aims to mitigate polarizing domestic tensions, while signaling predictability and stability to markets and international partners.

2026 as a Pivotal Year

The prime minister sets clear boundaries: the government is willing to support social groups but will not succumb to unilateral pressure or allow public safety to be compromised.

With major reforms, infrastructure projects, fiscal measures, and strategic oversight, 2026 is framed as:

• A year of governance consolidation,
• Pre-election signaling, and
• Balancing domestic responsibility with geopolitical awareness.

Source: pagenews.gr