The national stake continues to cross time and remains the same: through the changing conditions, the country to be free, sovereign and independent and its citizens to prosper, breathing the air of a democracy that protects them and provides them with opportunities to create for themselves and their families, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said at the beginning of his speech at the opening of the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair, at the Vellidio Conference Centre.
The parents of defeat are always division and demagogy, while unity and truth lead only to victories, he stressed, noting that after 12 years of memoranda and surveillance, Greece has now regained its economic autonomy from European supervision.
«We are called upon to make historic choices. Go forward or go back.»
«We are called upon to make historic choices. We move forward or we turn back,» the Prime Minister stressed. «Either we give a second chance to progress or we risk a second chance to disaster,» he said.
«What we have achieved is not a given, with one wrong move it can be shattered»
«What we have achieved is not a given - with one wrong move it can be demolished», Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed, speaking at the Velideion at the TIF.
«We are planning breathtaking projects that change the face of Thessaloniki»
«We are launching projects that will change the face of Thessaloniki and make it a leading city: The airport is already ready. The airport is already on track for delivery at the end of 2023. The new regional highway «fly over» and the redevelopment of the coastal zone,» the Prime Minister said.
«Our country has more allies, as it has signed dozens of cooperation agreements»
«Our country has more allies, as it has signed dozens of cooperation agreements. With countries from the West and Africa to Asia and the Arab World. And among them, of course, strategic defense treaties. The most important ones are those with France and the United States,» Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed.
«The yokes with Greece, Mr. Erdogan»
«Besides, the threats that the other side of the Aegean is making are answered by a Greek word that encapsulates the entire strength of our nation: No, Mr. Erdogan,» the Prime Minister stressed, adding: «the dailies yoke with Greece.».
«Moscow wants to turn energy insecurity into political instability»
«Moscow wants to turn energy insecurity into political instability,» Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.
He also said that in October there will be incentives and disincentives for energy saving and special provision for households using gas.
«I will not be a harbinger of political instability»
«I will not become a supervisor of political instability,» Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed, noting that elections will be held at the end of the four-year term.
«Twenty-one government initiatives in 3 cycles in 2022 and 2023 - Increase in student housing allowance»
Twenty-one government initiatives have been announced by Mr. Mitsotakis. First, there will be 250 euros in aid for each of the 2.3 million vulnerable citizens in December - plus a monthly instalment for beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income, the Prime Minister said, adding: ’There will also be an increase in the student housing allowance from 1,000 euros to 1,500 euros - and to 2,000 euros per person if they live together.«.
«Increase in heating allowance to 300 million and broadening of criteria for 1.3 million households»
«Increase heating allowance to 300 million and broaden criteria for 1.3 million households,» the prime minister said, and announced a special intervention to reduce heating oil costs at the pump, a 60 million euro subsidy for fertilizers and 80 million euro for animal feed.
«200,000 more beneficiaries of “Recycle - Change Device” - an additional €140 million. 250,000 small photovoltaic systems of individual producers are financed for free energy. In addition, 200,000 beneficiaries under “Tourism for All” - extension of the tourist season. Immediate settlement on Armed Forces salary claims. Exemption of 40% insurance contributions to businesses that convert part-time contracts to permanent. Permanent 3-point reduction in insurance contributions starting in January - increase income for 2.2 million workers,» he said.
«Solidarity levy abolished forever, relief for 2.7 million taxpayers»
«The solidarity contribution is abolished forever, a relief for 2.7 million taxpayers,» the Prime Minister said: «The Employees» Welfare Fund levy is abolished, Public Sector Target Achievement Incentives are introduced and the pensions of 1 million pensioners are increased - 6% for this year.".
«Reform of the special payroll of 20,000 NHS doctors with an increase of 10% in salary and responsibility allowances-average by 10% - Reform of the payroll of 600,000 civil servants»
The Prime Minister also announced «reform of the special payroll of 20,000 NHS doctors with an increase in salary and responsibility allowances - mid-point by 10%» and reform of the payroll of 600,000 civil servants with emphasis on low-paid and responsibility positions.
He also announced the extension of maternity allowance in the private sector from 6 to 9 months. Further extension of reduced VAT until June 2023 and suspension of 24% VAT on construction until the end of 2024.
He also announced an overhaul of the operating framework of the Greek capital market with incentives, as well as an increase in local government resources by €120 million per year.
«New minimum wage increase from 1 May 2023»
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also announced a new increase in the minimum wage from 1 May 2023.
«€5.5 billion of measures for 2022-2023 - We have €50 billion available for successive crises»
The prime minister said there would be 5.5 billion euros of measures for 2022-2023 and underlined that 50 billion euros had been allocated for the successive crises.
He also announced a €1.8 billion housing programme for young people and couples, and there will be 150,000 beneficiaries
In addition, it announced the construction of 8,150 places in 5 student residences in Crete, Thessaly, West Greece and Greece. Macedonia, Thrace and West Macedonia, Thrace and West. Attica and €500 million in mortgage loans - at almost zero interest - for 25,000 young people up to 40 years old.
«The «Save and Renovate» programme for 20,000 young people - up to €30,000 in aid»
The Prime Minister announced a «Save and Renovate» programme for 20,000 young people with up to €30,000 in aid. Also an incentive of up to 10,000 euros for renovation for 10,000 owners of closed properties.
«The “social rent” for public properties is being introduced - half for low rent to new tenants,» he said, adding that Golden Visa will require 500,000 euros to increase the amount of properties available for Greeks.
He also announced the «Hestia 2» programme where the State leases 1,000 properties and makes them available to vulnerable citizens.
«In the elections we will not only elect a government but also a governor of the country»
Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister said that «the current of democracy and progress will once again meet in the great changes», noting that when a storm comes, a steady steering wheel and a capable captain are needed, without parallel discussions and bargaining.
«We are called to choose the path of development or regression», he said, adding that «in the elections we will not only elect a government but also a governor of the country».
