Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis launched a sharp critique against Alexis Tsipras during today’s press briefing on Thursday (04/06), stating that “the difference between Mr. Tsipras and other political leaders is that during his governance he increased or imposed 30 taxes mainly on the middle class and low incomes,” while emphasizing that “actions are stronger than big words.”
Marinakis against Tsipras: “For us there are no patriotic taxes when they increase”
Specifically, Mr. Marinakis stated that the former prime minister during his governance increased taxes mainly at the expense of the middle class and low incomes, contrasting this with the current government’s policy, which, as he said, has proceeded with reductions of 83 taxes and contributions. At the same time, when asked about Alexis Tsipras’s “patriotic contribution,” he said: “For us there are no patriotic taxes when they increase. The most consistent solution for citizens is the abolition of taxes.”
On the European Commission’s decision to remove Greece from countries with macroeconomic imbalances
The government spokesperson at the start of the briefing referred to the European Commission’s decision to remove Greece from the list of countries with macroeconomic imbalances, as well as the government’s decision to add the name of the late Nikos Tagaras to the title of the bill for the Spatial Planning and Urban Planning Code.
Regarding the first decision, he explained that “this is a historic milestone for our economy, as 16 years after the outbreak of the Greek debt crisis, the end of all surveillance has officially come and our country’s return to full European normality. This achievement gains even greater value, given that it occurs at a time when 10 member states of the European Union are in an excessive deficit procedure.”
And he added: “The Commission’s decision constitutes one of the most important institutional recognitions of the progress Greece has achieved in recent years. The exit from the macroeconomic imbalances regime, the maintenance of fiscal surpluses, the continued de-escalation of public debt, the improvement of the labor market, progress in reforms and the strong utilization of European financing instruments compose the picture of an economy that has definitively left behind the characteristics of the crisis and continues its path with terms of stability, credibility and resilience.”
On Greeks, vacations and high costs
Asked about figures showing that many Greeks will not take vacations this year, he said: “Obviously, no one can be satisfied when we are experiencing a period of high costs. The cost of living and the housing crisis are more significant. It is an objective finding that we have reduced the distance that separates us. We are constantly trying to grow the pie, to increase revenues. Under no circumstances will we promise money from where it doesn’t exist. By reducing taxes we will return money to citizens.”
He also added that there are many subsidized tourism programs. Chios Pass, Evros Pass etc.
“We don’t adopt the logic of magic recipes”
Mr. Marinakis mentioned that we are one of the first countries in growth rates of per capita disposable income, constantly trying to grow the pie and return to society what it has been deprived of in previous years.”
Then, he noted that “there is no doubt that there is a long way to go, but under no circumstances will we adopt the logic of magic recipes or promise money that doesn’t exist.”
On MPs and OPEKEPE
“The government has confidence in justice and has no vindictive disposition. I think it’s worth putting side by side the news of the acquittal of MPs in the case, with the headlines that came out from the opposition labeling MPs as defendants. It’s worth examining this phenomenon in this country. I’m talking about the parties that spoke about defendants,” he stated referring to the OPEKEPE case and the MPs who had been at the center of political confrontation.
On the Tycheropoulos report and accusations of haste
Additionally regarding the Tycheropoulos report, the government spokesperson rejected accusations of haste, emphasizing: “There was no haste, when the MPs asked for immunity to be lifted, no one pleaded guilty. The opposite. They asked their colleagues to vote in favor of the lifting. Conversely, the opposition spoke of a government of defendants. Those who need to answer why they rushed to play judges are the opposition. We don’t underestimate the OPEKEPE issue, but it’s one thing for those who took illegally and those who did it in a way that constitutes a criminal offense and another the de facto targeting of MPs who themselves requested the lifting of their immunity.”
On Mylonakis and report about audio recording in the Sandy case in Cyprus
“I want to know if some continue to believe that there is no issue of toxic rhetoric, which can even lead to serious consequences.
Mr. Mylonakis is very strong and it appears he is winning, no matter how fierce the political confrontation, there must be limits and the limits have been exceeded,” Mr. Marinakis emphasized.
Asked about constitutional revision “at a time when parliament in no way resembles the election result,” and responding to the question “if he considers it politically sound,” Pavlos Marinakis replied: “I consider it our obligation, at this moment the fact that the second parliamentary force is the independent MPs is not something the government should apologize for.”
Introductory statement by Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis:
Good afternoon,
The European Commission yesterday removed Greece from the list of countries with “macroeconomic imbalances.”
This is a historic milestone for our economy, as 16 years after the outbreak of the Greek debt crisis, the end of all surveillance has officially come and our country’s return to full European normality.
“This development did not occur by chance. On the contrary, it condenses the hard effort of citizens and the State. And it is not a technocratic finding. But the foundation on which a better life is built,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
This achievement gains even greater value, given that it occurs at a time when 10 member states of the European Union are in an excessive deficit procedure.
The Commission’s decision constitutes one of the most important institutional recognitions of the progress Greece has achieved in recent years.
The exit from the macroeconomic imbalances regime, the maintenance of fiscal surpluses, the continued de-escalation of public debt, the improvement of the labor market, progress in reforms and the strong utilization of European financing instruments compose the picture of an economy that has definitively left behind the characteristics of the crisis and continues its path with terms of stability, credibility and resilience.
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The new Spatial Planning and Urban Planning Code “Nikolaos Tagaras” has been submitted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy to the Parliament Plenary for discussion and ratification.
This is an extensive legislative undertaking of 447 articles, a crowning legacy of the late Nikos Tagaras.
It constitutes the result of collecting, systematizing and unifying all existing spatial planning and urban planning legislation into one Code, in order to facilitate the Administration and citizens in the correct and rapid knowledge and application of this legislation.
This is not a technical-bureaucratic process, but a titanic scientific work of a top Committee, which required six or more years to collect, record and interpret a series of provisions.
With the Code not only are the legislative texts unified and restructured, but obsolete or ineffective provisions are also eliminated, legislative texts are simplified through reformulation, in many cases, in simple, vernacular and clear language for better understanding and avoidance of misinterpretations, while the competent bodies are updated, some of which had been changed many times within the up to and over 100 years of validity of provisions included in the Code.
It is clarified that the Code does not introduce new legal rules, but includes codified what is already in force.
On the Prime Minister’s orders, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou today submitted a technical improvement, with which the title and first article of the bill is renamed in honor as “Ratification of Spatial Planning – Urban Planning Code ‘Nikolaos Tagaras’.”
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The digital work card is extended with two new phases of pilot implementation and thus significantly expands the coverage of employees in additional sectors of the economy.
The new extension concerns a total of 476,000 employees and is part of the gradual universal implementation of the measure, aimed at protecting workers, combating undeclared and under-declared work and ensuring compliance with working hours.
The first phase of the new extension is implemented on a pilot basis from June 2 to October 11, 2026. This phase includes the following sectors:
- Hospitals, therapeutic and diagnostic centers, excluding doctors
- Employment support activities
- Telecommunications
- Specific service sectors, such as hair salons, beauty centers and dry cleaners
- Activities providing services to buildings and outdoor spaces, mainly cleaning services
The second phase of extension will be implemented on a pilot basis from June 29 to November 15, 2026. This includes:
- Consulting services, advertising and other office activities
- Repair sector
- Storage and transport support activities (logistics)
- Water and sewage management
- Gambling
Employees covered by the digital work card measure, after the new extensions, are estimated to total approximately 2.5 million
It is noteworthy that the digital work card has led to increases in declared overtime of up to 1,200% in specific sectors, while in 2025, 2.7 million more overtime hours were declared compared to 2024.
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The “Neighborhood Nannies” program platform has opened for parents, through which they can choose a caregiver for childcare for children aged from 2 months to 2.5 years
The process is simple and fast. By utilizing the interoperability of available Public Administration data, bureaucracy for parents is reduced
Under the action, beneficiaries receive vouchers of up to 500 euros monthly for full employment and up to 300 euros monthly for part-time employment.
Care is provided by certified persons, registered in the Caregivers Registry. People from the family or broader familiar environment can also participate, provided they meet the specified requirements and are certified.
The initiative’s goal is to facilitate the reconciliation of family and professional life, support parents in everyday life and strengthen their access to the labor market.
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With sadness we bid farewell to Nasos Athanassiou, a man who identified his life with journalism and information. For more than five decades he served his profession with passion and dedication, leaving his own distinctive mark.
To his family, loved ones and colleagues I express my most sincere condolences.
I am ready for your questions.
