The Minister of National Economy and Finance, K. Pierrakakis, is focused on finalizing the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) policy package, which includes measures to boost household disposable income and reduce the tax burden. On the persistent issue of rising living costs — which polls consistently show remains the top concern for Greek households — the Ministry of Development is banking on the results of a price reduction agreement on essential goods, a measure that came into effect on August 31 and will remain in place at least until the end of the year. Minister Takis Theodorikakos is centering his strategy on price controls and targeted interventions to bring down the cost of living.
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Government shifts into high gear ahead of TIF, with focus on defense, infrastructure and regional development
A key priority in the government’s agenda is accelerating infrastructure projects across the country, with a particular emphasis on road networks and broader infrastructure upgrades. Following the inauguration of the Thessaloniki Metro extension, Infrastructure Minister Christos Dimas is focusing on the progress of major projects including the BOAK highway, the Flyover, the restoration of the rail network, and interventions at the Skaramagas and Metamorfosi interchanges. Meanwhile, the second phase of the “Marietta Giannakou” school building renovation programme is also being rolled out. In addition, Interior Minister Thodoris Livanos has launched the annual public sector workforce planning process for 2027, as previously reported by Parapolitika. The Ministry of Interior has already collected staffing requests from government ministries, agencies and public bodies — a figure expected to exceed 30,000 positions.
For the Ministry of Education and Minister Sofia Zacharaki, the top priority is filling teaching vacancies before the new school year begins. To that end, the public school system is being reinforced with 5,259 new permanent teaching appointments. Simultaneously, the National Dialogue on the New Upper Secondary School and the National School-Leaving Certificate is underway, alongside the expansion of the public Onassis Schools network. At the Ministry of Family, Minister Domna Michailidou is placing housing policy at the center of her agenda, with targeted programmes aimed at increasing the housing supply and expanding social housing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under Minister Gerapetritis, remains on high alert in response to the latest developments with Turkey, as it works to manage delicate regional and international balances amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and instability across the Middle East. Greek-Turkish relations have moved to the forefront, triggered by Ankara’s reaction to Greece’s new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources — a development that followed Turkey’s announcement of so-called “maritime parks” in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Athens is preparing a diplomatic response to Turkey’s moves, including a formal démarche to Ankara and coordinated actions at the UN and within the EU. A further question occupying Athens is whether Turkey will move to bring its “Blue Homeland” doctrine legislation before its parliament in the coming period.
In the field of defense, Greek defense planning is entering a new phase, with Defense Minister N. Dendias directing attention toward the “Shield of Achilles” program, new unmanned systems, the enhancement of missile artillery capabilities, the progress of the new FDI frigates, and programmes relating to the Hellenic Air Force and the existing Hellenic Navy fleet.
A major government priority is regional development and the goal of drastically reducing regional inequalities. Minister of State Akis Skertsos, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, and their respective ministerial counterparts have developed tailored action plans for each regional unit, with projects and initiatives designed to address the specific characteristics and needs of each area. As part of this effort, the Prime Minister and senior government officials will launch a door-to-door outreach campaign in the coming days to communicate government achievements and highlight positive developments across the regions, with ministers making targeted visits to communities based on their particular needs and circumstances.
Originally published in Parapolitika newspaper
