At the start of the customary press conference at the «Ioannis Vellidis» Conference Center at the 90th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was asked whether he believed the measures he had announced were sufficient to meet the needs of many social groups or were part of a pre-election package.
«The country is in a position to provide its citizens with a support program and a growth dividend because the economy’s performance in recent years has made this possible,» emphasized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, noting that «we were able to restore fiscal discipline, tackle tax evasion, our growth is significantly higher than the European average, and as a result, we have more revenue that we can return to citizens—always within our fiscal targets.».
He added: «The support package I announced has been rigorously costed and, down to the last euro, remains within the framework of the fiscal targets as set by the EU,» Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized, stressing that we will not deviate by even one euro from these targets, as maintaining fiscal stability is, for him, a non-negotiable goal.
The prime minister said he has no illusions that any support program can fully address the full extent of the financial hardship plaguing many households, but it is a strictly costed program that can be implemented within a specific timeline, and citizens should have no illusions about whether this program will be implemented. He also emphasized that this provides a framework of support for many social groups, with the aim of achieving social justice.
The country needs self-sufficient governments – The goal of self-sufficiency is achievable
When asked what he would do on Monday after the elections if he did not secure a majority, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated the following during a press conference at the 90th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair: «Yesterday, I also tried to explain in simple terms the key political dilemmas of the upcoming elections. I reminded everyone that on July 1, 2027, our country will assume the EU presidency—a very significant responsibility—and obviously will need to have a government in place. Self-sufficient governments are best equipped to handle these challenges and are not bogged down in political horse-trading. My view—my conviction regarding the need for the country to have self-sufficient governments—is clear. We respect and honor the verdict of the Greek people. It is my duty to explain what could happen if the country does not have a government after the upcoming elections. If we end up with a caretaker government, I do not know if that is the best course of action in these difficult circumstances. The Greek people are sovereign; they will decide. The fact that a coalition government does not appear likely at this time is not due to New Democracy but to other parties that have ruled out the possibility of cooperating with New Democracy through their party conventions. Ask those parties. Let me remind everyone that before the 2023 elections, no poll showed New Democracy above 35–36%, and New Democracy received 41%. The goal of forming a single-party government is achievable; it is the only political solution that will ensure the country has a stable government the very next day.».
«Greece is not going to ask anyone's permission regarding how it will arm itself.»
«In recent years, Greece has strengthened its deterrent capability and will obviously not ask anyone’s permission regarding how it arms itself,» emphasized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in response to a question about Greek-Turkish relations during a press conference he is holding at the «I. Vellidis» for the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair.
Mr. Mitsotakis added that our country «seeks good relations with Turkey, but has a major disagreement with its neighbor, namely the delimitation of maritime zones in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. I will never engage in a discussion with Turkey on issues that Turkey itself raises and which are not issues for the Greek State.».
On the issue of territorial waters, the prime minister reiterated that «Greece retains the inalienable right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles whenever and however it deems the timing to be most appropriate.».
