Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis addressed political developments, government initiatives, and broader planning ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in an interview with the newspaper “Macedonia tis Kyriakis.” Regarding the measures set to be announced at TIF, Marinakis asked for “a little patience,” emphasizing two key points: “First, before we announce any measures, we have already secured the funding to finance them — and not through overtaxation, but through economic growth and tackling tax evasion. Second, for yet another year, everything you hear from Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be put into action, because if we tried to add up the billions promised over the years by various self-styled wizards, we would lose count.”
Commenting on Alexis Tsipras’ intention to appear in Thessaloniki both before and after the Prime Minister in order to present his party’s economic program, the government spokesperson condemned his stance, describing it as an unprecedented breach of political conduct: “To begin with, we cannot ignore the historically unprecedented impropriety of Mr. Tsipras wishing to precede the Prime Minister in Thessaloniki. And this is not a matter of protocol — it goes to the heart of the issue. Arrogance is always a poor adviser for a politician. Beyond that, Tsipras and the ‘Thessaloniki Program’ — we all know where that leads. History speaks for itself.”
Marinakis: Elections are heading for spring 2027
On the political horizon and the government’s remaining term, Marinakis made clear that “elections are heading for spring 2027,” adding: “Politics is a marathon and, by its very nature, always holds surprises. What matters most, however, is the ability to serve your country and its people… We will continue our work with consistency, results, and daily engagement with citizens. We do not take their trust for granted. Every election is a fresh verdict from the Greek people.”
On the wildfire front, the government spokesperson noted that this summer severely tested the state’s capacity, as “strong, prolonged winds significantly hampered firefighting efforts and, in some cases, prevented aerial operations altogether.” He stressed that “the climate crisis largely explains the difficulty of these operations, though that is not an excuse,” while highlighting the establishment of a standalone Civil Protection Ministry, an increase in personnel to “more than 18,000 firefighters compared to approximately 13,300 previously, 21 Special Forest Operations Units with around 1,600 forest commandos,” as well as investments of €660 million under the Antinero program and over €2 billion under the “AEGIS” program.
Regarding the causes of the fires, he stated that “the human factor is behind the majority of fires, whether through intent or negligence,” noting that “this year we are approaching 300 arrests,” while also pointing out that 18 consecutive days of strong winds were recorded. Responding to criticism from the opposition and Alexis Tsipras over the increase in burned areas, Marinakis cited Copernicus data, according to which more than 5.7 million hectares had burned across the EU by August 12, compared to approximately 305,000 hectares in Greece. He also called on Mr. Tsipras to “instead of his usual fact-free criticism, read the prosecutor’s address at the trial of the Mati tragedy, in which he spoke of a shattered state mechanism and noted that had the 112 emergency line been functioning, dozens of lives could have been saved.”
Underground cabling by HEDNO and issues in Halkidiki
On the issue of HEDNO’s power lines, Marinakis stated that “over the past three years, more than 4,500 kilometers of new underground network have been constructed, while the annual rate of undergrounding has increased more than eightfold compared to 2019.” He noted, however, that fully undergrounding the 250,000-kilometer network “would take decades and require investments of approximately €35 billion.”
Regarding the fire in Kassandra, Halkidiki, he stated that the relevant teams immediately conducted the necessary on-site inspections to assess damage and ensure compensation for those affected. On the issue of overdevelopment in the area, he emphasized the need for “protection of the natural environment, safety for residents and visitors, and tourism development that creates value while being carried out according to rules and sustainability standards.”
Infrastructure projects and urban regeneration in Thessaloniki
On the progress of projects in Thessaloniki, Marinakis described the outlook as positive, noting that “the Metro is already in operation, the extension to Kalamaria is being handed over to the public in just a few days, while significant infrastructure and urban space interventions are moving forward.” Regarding delays in the TIF urban regeneration project, he noted that following the project’s approval by the Municipal Council, “the path to implementing the largest urban regeneration project in Northern Greece is now open,” with an international tender underway for the creation of a 120-hectare Metropolitan Park and exhibition center.
Political messages, European elections, and scenarios for new parties
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Thessaloniki, Marinakis underscored that “Northern Greece is at the core of the government’s planning.” Addressing the results of the European elections and the rise of parties to the right of New Democracy, he stressed that “every vote is fully respected” and that “our goal is to earn citizens’ trust every single day through our actions — not through empty promises or hollow nationalist rhetoric.”
Finally, when asked to comment on polls and speculation about a potential new party being formed by Antonis Samaras, he remarked: “I will not engage in predicting either the formation of a party that has not yet been announced, or its electoral impact. Polls are useful, but it is the ballot box that ultimately decides.”
