About seven and a half years ago, the now-famous “blue folders” made their first appearance at the Maximos Mansion, during the first Cabinet meeting of the newly elected New Democracy government. They were perhaps the first tangible product of what became known as the “executive state” model, and contained detailed, ministry-by-ministry breakdowns of the government’s core objectives for the second half of 2019.
The “blue folders” return as the government enters its final stretch
Yesterday, at the Cabinet meeting, the “blue folders” reappeared on the table of the main ground-floor chamber at Maximos Mansion — this time in a new form. New Democracy’s eight-year governance is effectively drawing to a close within six months, and within that window the government aims to deliver its final 90 major reforms and projects before the polls — initiatives it also hopes will boost its political momentum. These 90 priorities, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis put it, “signal our choice to ensure we see out our term without letting up on the pace of government work in the slightest.”
Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of State Akis Skertsos, and the respective portfolio ministers presented the Cabinet with critical government priorities for each ministry through to the end of the current parliamentary term. For each initiative, a target milestone has been defined — delivery, operation, legislation, tender, contract, or pilot implementation — so that progress can be monitored directly by the Prime Minister’s office. “Our work is our identity, and it is the best stamp in our credibility ‘passport.’ I also believe it is the best answer to the opposition’s petty nihilism,” Mitsotakis said in his opening remarks.
Economy, investment, and the labor market
On the economic and investment front, the agenda includes the tax bill incorporating measures announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair, the activation of the Property Ownership and Management Registry, initiatives to attract foreign direct investment, and new rounds of incentives for large-scale investments, manufacturing, supply chains, and special development zones. On labor, priorities include extending the Digital Work Card to new sectors, legislation for platform-based work, and subsidized employment for unemployed workers in mountainous and island communities.
Health and education: Planned interventions
In healthcare, the plan includes the continuation and expansion of the “PROLAMVANO II” preventive care program and a pilot rollout of a new community and home-care model. In education, key deliverables include the handover of student dormitories in Tripoli and at Panteion University, the renovation of more than 500 schools under the “Marietta Giannakou” program — with design studies set to begin — and the completion of the roadmap for the National School-Leaving Certificate.
Housing and major infrastructure projects
On housing, the government is advancing its “Renovate – Rent Out” scheme for vacant properties, the first social in-kind construction tender, and the first tender for the development of inactive military camps into affordable housing. On infrastructure, plans include the completion of the Flyover project in Thessaloniki, the opening of 25 kilometers of bypass roads in Rethymno and Heraklion, road safety interventions across 130 kilometers of the BOAK northern Crete highway, and the launch of a new train service on the Athens–Thessaloniki corridor.
Digital government, justice, and the land registry
In the areas of public administration and justice, the plan covers the automatic electronic retrieval of supporting documents, a Unified Public Sector Personnel Code, a digital ID card pilot for the public sector, and upgrades to the “Diavgeia” transparency platform and the administrative courts’ case management system. In parallel, the government is pushing forward a reform of building regulations and a restructuring of the Land Registry into a National Land and Building Control Agency.
Defense and security: New deliveries and police reinforcements
On defense and security, the agenda includes the delivery of two FDI frigates, the acquisition of seven Romeo MH-60R helicopters, the recruitment of 1,000 professional enlisted soldiers, and the launch of operations at the unmanned systems manufacturing plant in Malakasa. Also planned are three new Domestic Violence Response Offices in Attica, an upgrade of police digital capabilities, and an enhancement of the 112 emergency services system.
Rounding out the agenda are the establishment of marine protected parks in the Aegean and Ionian seas, a public consultation on urban planning for 601 municipal units, interventions in agricultural production, culture, tourism, and island policy, as well as preparations for the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Mitsotakis’ message to ministers: put the campaign ballot on hold
“The next six months are critical not only as the final straight before the 2027 elections, but also — I would say — as a benchmark of our own obligation to complete our program, so that citizens can ultimately judge us on our overall performance throughout the four-year term,” Mitsotakis said, before sending a clear message to all members of his Cabinet: “I fully recognize the temptation of pre-election vote-hunting. I believe that, especially for members of the Cabinet, that can wait. The priority right now is hunting for government results.”
