Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis spoke about the 13th salary, responding to a related question today, Thursday (28/8), during the briefing of political editors. Specifically, regarding the case of reinstating the 13th salary in the public sector, the government spokesperson noted that the public treasury has specific funds to distribute – approximately 1.5 billion euros, and there are spending ceilings that the state is prohibited from exceeding.
Pavlos Marinakis: ”No one opposes giving the 13th salary”
Furthermore, Pavlos Marinakis mentioned that no one opposes giving the 13th salary, but in this case there would be no margin to give support to other classes of workers who need assistance. “Whoever proposes giving the 13th salary today,” said Mr. Marinakis, “which costs around 1.4 billion, is indirectly saying that nothing else can be given,” he added.
Meanwhile, regarding Nikos Androulakis’s criticism questioning the cost amount, the government spokesperson said that data from GLK and the Ministry of Finance show that the cost for both salaries (13th and 14th) is 2.7 billion euros, while emphasizing that the methodology requiring governments to calculate gross costs has been in effect since 2016. The primary expenditure target -he said- takes into account the government’s total expenditure, namely the gross cost. “Europe tells us that if we want to take a measure we must not exceed a spending ceiling and the cost is calculated with the gross cost,” noted Pavlos Marinakis and mentioned that there are revenues, because, among other things, “we created 500 thousand jobs and we are fighting tax evasion”.
Regarding developments at the Sinai Monastery, the government spokesperson mentioned that all Patriarchates and the government recognize Mr. Damianos as the legitimate abbot. “We support the archbishop and the people of the Monastery,” noted Pavlos Marinakis.
About the front-page headline against Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, he said it was a “chillingly vulgar title” and called on Journalists’ Unions to intervene. “There is fierce criticism but when we talk about the Foreign Minister of the Greek government and national issues, such characterizations exceed the limits. The Journalists’ Unions must look into this. It’s shameful to have such titles. This is not journalism, this is shame,” said Mr. Marinakis.
Commenting on PASOK’s criticism regarding GDP calculation, he said it “does not implement what it had promised to be a good alternative solution” and accused it of making “sleight of hand” moves regarding the economy, aiming “to fool the people.” He also noted that GDP is calculated after considering inflation’s impact on it to get net prices, and said that PASOK “consciously wants to deceive citizens.”
What Pavlos Marinakis said about the death of the woman in Aegina who was waiting for an ambulance
Regarding the incident in Aegina with the death of a woman who was waiting for an ambulance, Pavlos Marinakis, after expressing his sadness and condolences for the loss of human life, said that there is still much to be done to support the National Health System “but in a few years much has been done and it’s significant.” He noted that gaps still exist, and mentioned there is a restriction from the EU rule of one departure, one hire. He said NHS staff increased by 10% due to this rule, while referring to responses from the 2nd Health Region. He noted that an investigation is being conducted to assign responsibilities because there were 3 available drivers who did not respond and said that “we inherited an NHS under collapse, and we covered a large number of positions. The NHS is improving but needs even more interventions.”
Referring to poverty rate measurement and related criticism from the opposition, Mr. Marinakis said the percentage is measured based on fellow citizens who are below 60% of median income, namely the average of all citizens’ income. To compare 2019 with 2024 we must consider median income, said Mr. Marinakis, noting that median income was 8,195 euros in 2019 and 10,850 in 2024. As he said, median income rose and 2% fewer fellow citizens living below median income is essentially 6% because the bar has risen, since 500 thousand fellow citizens were unemployed and found work. According to Mr. Marinakis “from 15-19 Europe was showered with growth and Greece among the 27 was 27th. From 19-24 we had wars and pandemic, Europe was on the brink of recession while Greece is developing at double rates.” He also said that in 2019, 2 out of 3, 65% of workers were paid below 1,000 euros and now 65% became 46%. “Our benchmark is citizens’ needs and not 2019. But we won’t forget the truth because some perhaps want to bring Mr. Tsipras back to the forefront,” he said.
Pavlos Marinakis: We will give what fiscal conditions allow
Regarding VAT reduction, he said there are European directives with which the country is gradually harmonizing, and 72 direct and indirect taxes were reduced as well as VAT on certain goods. “We should expect tax relief at the Thessaloniki International Fair but which ones will be decided by the prime minister,” said Pavlos Marinakis, noting that the safest tax reductions are direct tax cuts.
Asked about the situation in France, the government spokesperson said that in Europe the basic discussion is how they will take unpopular measures, while the discussion here is where we will give the money that citizens were deprived of.
Furthermore, he answered a related question that small and medium enterprises need support and characterized the Katrougalos law as a “noose” for these businesses. “We will give what fiscal conditions allow,” said Pavlos Marinakis and noted that the government reduced their taxation to 22%, said “we found advance tax at 100% and took it to 50%, while contributions were reduced from 40.56% to 35.6%.” He mentioned that over 11 thousand small and medium enterprises received 1.95 billion euros in loans in the first quarter of 2025, while from NSRF, since July 2019, a total of 6.5 billion euros were given in support.
Commenting on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s related statement, Pavlos Marinakis said one can only view positively the recognition of the Pontic genocide, and commented generally that the government’s foreign policy is national policy and is dictated only by national interests and not by impulsive moves and obsessions.
Finally, answering a question about comparing the government’s announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair with those in 2003 by Kostas Simitis, and the subsequent electoral results, he said different magnitudes are being compared. “There is wear that we must address,” said Mr. Marinakis, noting that Greece of 2003 is different from that of 2025. “The ‘money trees’ governed the country,” said Mr. Marinakis and added: “Until 2015 people had not seen apprentice sorcerers govern. Today Kyriakos Mitsotakis explains how he will give the money.”
