Today marks two years since the day the citizens, through their vote, brought New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis to power.
They gave us the strength by asking us to change Greece, and they asked us to work so that our homeland could heal the wounds of the past.
Let’s elevate Greece’s standing in Europe and the world. Let’s once again take pride in being Greek.
Today is not a day for celebration but a day for work, so that, on the one hand, we can tackle the «fourth wave» of the pandemic and, on the other hand, to move forward with the implementation of our plan for Greece 2.0.
Over the past two years, the government has faced two major crises: the pandemic and Turkey’s provocations.
It allocated a total of 41 billion euros in fiscal measures and liquidity-boosting interventions to support businesses, workers, and the unemployed, which kept the productive sector afloat and prevented a surge in unemployment.
In the area of defense, it has fortified its maritime and land borders, preventing refugees and migrants from being exploited for geopolitical games. At the same time, it has leveraged its diplomatic efforts both within the EU and in the southeastern Mediterranean. At the same time, the government is strengthening the country’s defense capabilities by procuring new aircraft and modern military equipment.
Over the past two years, the implementation of her government’s program has also been proceeding in parallel.
During this period, 193 laws were passed that introduce progressive institutional and developmental reforms. The government—in keeping with its pre-election commitments—has launched a bold reform agenda, starting with reductions in taxes and social security contributions.
The corporate tax rate, the dividend tax, the entry-level tax rate for employees, self-employed professionals, and farmers, the ENFIA property tax, and the VAT on expensive medications for serious illnesses, as well as on the five islands that host asylum-seeker facilities, for as long as these facilities remain in operation.
The solidarity levy for private-sector employees, self-employed professionals, and farmers has been suspended, as has the imposition of VAT on construction projects and the capital gains tax on real estate transfers, while a low tax rate has been established for agricultural cooperatives.
At the same time, to support families and the most vulnerable: The tax-free threshold for each dependent child has been increased by 1,000 euros. A birth allowance of 2,000 is provided. The VAT rate on baby products has been reduced. The minimum guaranteed income has been increased and is now provided to 800,000 of our fellow citizens, and people with disabilities with a disability rating of over 80% have been exempted from the solidarity levy.
We are moving forward with changes in universities and education.
We support the National Health System, to which we owe a great deal for the achievements of its workers, for their handling of an unprecedented pandemic, and for their support of the public.
The government has restored confidence in the prospects for the Greek economy and is poised for a surge of dynamic and equitable growth.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” is our major strategic advantage. Greece is among the first EU countries to receive approval from the European Commission. At the same time, two bold, cross-cutting policy initiatives were launched, and their funding was secured through the Recovery Fund.
The first concerns the digital modernization of the government, where a remarkable leap forward has already been made: The gov.gr platform for providing online services to citizens and businesses has been launched. Platforms have been launched for citizens« digital mailboxes, distance learning, the system for electronic prescriptions and referrals, the »112« early warning system, and the »Eleftheria” vaccination campaign. Citizens have begun to trust the government again.
The second concerns the green transition through the implementation of plans for phasing out coal, electric mobility, active support for renewable energy sources, undersea electrical interconnections between islands, reforestation, and waste management.
Two years later, we're still going strong.
We remain steadfast in our belief in the abilities and potential of the Greek people.
Kostas Katsafados
