Northern Greece is once again at the center of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ political agenda, with the occasion being a special celebratory event marking Mount Olympus’ inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this context, the Prime Minister’s visit yesterday to Pieria goes well beyond its ceremonial character, as it is directly linked to the governing party’s effort to recover lost ground in regions of Macedonia where its electoral base has been showing significant leakage toward the right. In this sense, the Prime Minister’s decision to tour the north again carries particular political weight — in the 2024 European elections, New Democracy saw its vote share drop considerably in parts of Macedonia, including Pieria.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “It is this government’s policy choice to increase the heating benefit further”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered yet another message, this time from Litochoro and the event celebrating Mount Olympus’ inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. “It is this government’s policy choice to increase the heating benefit further, in the midst of an energy crisis, so as to support those regions that have a greater need to stay warm during winter,” the Prime Minister stressed, expressing the Maximos Mansion’s central priority of supporting citizens ahead of what is expected to be a difficult winter.
The “bet” on Northern Greece ahead of the next general elections
The government’s inner circle acknowledges that stemming the losses in Northern Greece is a critical challenge ahead of the next national elections. This effort is made all the more demanding by the presence of parties to the right of the governing faction, as well as by the momentum building around Antonis Samaras. Mr. Mitsotakis’ latest tour of Macedonia concludes today in Thessaloniki, where the Prime Minister is making his third visit within a single month. There, in the presence of Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, he will attend the Museum of Byzantine Culture for a handover ceremony of 48 historical artifacts, sealing the relevant agreement between Greece and Bulgaria. Yesterday’s schedule included a first stop at the Municipality of Pydna-Kolindros, a visit to Litochoro for the international recognition of Mount Olympus, and meetings with local authorities and citizens in Katerini.
During his remarks in Kolindros, the Prime Minister sent a clear political message on regional reconstruction, stressing that “there is no forgotten region for us” and underlining that the government aims for balanced regional development with equal opportunities for all citizens. “I always talk about the need to have a Greece where all Greek men and women have equal opportunities and access to the same services. There is no forgotten part of our homeland for us — that is precisely why I attach such great importance to regional convergence,” Mr. Mitsotakis noted. He subsequently visited the central square of Kolindros, where he had the opportunity to speak with local shop owners and residents.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis hikes from Prionia to the Monastery of Saint Dionysios
Following his meeting with the Mayor of Pydna-Kolindros, Christos Kompatsaris, Kyriakos Mitsotakis headed toward Mount Olympus on a hike along mountain trails, from the Prionia trailhead to the Monastery of Saint Dionysios. The historic Old Monastery was founded by Saint Dionysios of Olympus in the 16th century and is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Today, the monastic community continues its spiritual tradition, with the monastery serving as a significant pilgrimage destination for visitors from across Greece and abroad. At the Monastery of Saint Dionysios, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, the Metropolitan of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas, George, and Abbot Maximos.
The Abbot gave Mr. Mitsotakis a guided tour of the church and the newly built guesthouses for pilgrims. Metropolitan George personally thanked the Prime Minister for the return of the Holy Monastery of the Presentation of the Theotokos of Petra on Olympus to the Metropolis of Kitros. The return of the historic monastery was completed last year through legislation, 100 years after it had originally been converted — first into a sanatorium and later into a psychiatric institution. The Prime Minister then proceeded to Litochoro, where he spoke at the event celebrating Mount Olympus’ inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. “The UNESCO seal is a lasting reminder of the responsibility that the State undertakes, with the goal of effectively safeguarding this unique ecosystem and keeping its cultural identity alive,” Mr. Mitsotakis noted, also setting the next target: Nicopolis.
“Following the inscriptions of Olympus, Zagori and the Minoan Palaces, our next goal is the inclusion of ancient Nicopolis.” Other speakers at the Litochoro event included Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, and Greece’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Giorgos Koumoutsakos.
*Published in Apogeumatini
