From the podium of the Thessaloniki International Fair, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented the government’s roadmap until 2027, providing clear answers about policy priorities and the country’s electoral prospects. The press conference provided a significant opportunity to analyze the government’s strategic choices.
Categorical refusal to change electoral system
Mr. Mitsotakis put an end to any speculation regarding possible modification of the electoral law, stating explicitly that no such intention exists. Maintaining the current rules constitutes a basic prerequisite for transparency in the democratic process.
As he characteristically emphasized, the stability of the electoral framework allows citizens to fully understand the consequences of their electoral choices. His preference for single-party governments remains unchanged, aiming for effective governance.
Confirmation of four-year government term
With absolute clarity, the Prime Minister repeated his commitment to completing the full four-year term, placing the next national elections in 2027. This statement aims to eliminate any uncertainty about the political future.
Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that the mandate he received from citizens is for four years and he intends to honor it fully. Government success will be judged by the quality of work delivered at the end of the term.
Reform agenda and pre-election commitments
A central priority is the complete implementation of New Democracy’s pre-election program, with emphasis on an intensive reform pace. All 2023 commitments will be transformed into concrete policies and actions.
The main pillars include:
- Continuation of structural changes in critical sectors
- Strengthening economic growth and competitiveness
- Improving public services and administrative effectiveness
Political cooperation and future prospects
Regarding post-election cooperation, the Prime Minister emphasized that the answer belongs exclusively to the Greek people. The final decision for single-party government or coalition government will emerge from popular will.
At the same time, he characterized as completely unfounded the scenarios concerning his succession in New Democracy leadership, rejecting any related speculation. The focus remains on government work and achieving goals until 2027.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis at TIF 2025: The announcements I presented constitute the boldest income scale reform in post-transition history
Initially, the Prime Minister, asked about the 13th salary in the public sector, stated: “The announcements I presented constitute the boldest income scale reform in post-transition history. Greece today is an exception to the rule. Most European countries are forced to impose austerity measures. We are in the opposite position. The 1.7 billion euros cannot be larger because we would violate fiscal rules. The amount for distribution is this. We chose to target bold tax reform. The 13th salary would cost 1.3 to 1.4 billion. If someone believes the fiscal surplus should go there, let them say so. I hope the policy of producing healthy surpluses continues next year too. All citizens put their backs into it and now it’s time for the dividend of growth to return fairly to as many fellow citizens as possible“.
“I have absolutely no intention to change the electoral law”
Regarding the possibility of changing the electoral law and whether there are preconditions for cooperation with other political forces, he answered: “The answer I give you is the same. I have absolutely no intention to change the electoral law. I believe in single-party governments and Greeks trusted us twice to govern the country. Self-sufficiency seemed difficult even before the 2023 elections. At this moment, the 2027 elections are not the first concern in my mind. When you implement a plan with a four-year horizon, you expect it to pay off over time. No one can know the landscape in 2027. The question about post-election cooperation cannot be answered at the present moment. The Greek people will make the choice“.
About the Greece-Cyprus cable
Then, asked about the cable issue with Cyprus and whether he knew Nicosia’s intentions or was surprised and if he had a picture of the prosecutorial investigation, as well as about the “appropriate time” for the project to proceed, the Prime Minister wanted to describe the big picture of an important electrical interconnection project that will mainly benefit Cyprus.
He explained that because Cyprus is energy isolated, this is why this prospect was chosen by the EU. “Our intention is for this project to start and be completed, but obviously Cyprus must also prove in practice that it wants this project,” he said characteristically.
At the same time, he wanted to emphasize that electrical interconnection with Cyprus is not the only priority project regarding interconnections and referred to interconnection with Crete, the Dodecanese and Egypt.
He estimated that soon we will have clear visibility from Cyprus that it wants this project and means it, and we will be able to proceed to the next stages.
About the fight against crime
The next question was about the fact that despite government recognition of the need to enforce the doctrine of legality everywhere, we still have significant hotbeds of crime and referenced the organized crime network in Crete with the question whether the battle against crime has been won.
The Prime Minister answered that we win this battle every day and referred to the successes of the Greek FBI in many different sectors
When we talk about crime, as he emphasized, we’re not talking only about hard organized crime, but he also characterized as significant addressing cases of public sector corruption, addressing road crime up to the fact that there is no active occupation in any university School today.
All these prove the government’s commitment to implementing this agenda he emphasized and pointed out that more battles have been won than lost and the government will not back down.
About immigration
Regarding immigration and what the government intends to do to address any new flows, Mr. Mitsotakis made a brief review of the government’s immigration policy from 2019 to today.
Today, the EU has come and completely aligned with Greek positions on border protection and addressing smugglers’ actions, he emphasized. He pointed out that the policy with temporary suspension of visa examinations for migrants from Libya was effective and emphasized that the best proof overall of the results of the government’s tightened but calculated immigration policy is that immigration is not, like in other countries, the first issue discussed today along with inflation.
We will persist in this policy combined with calculated implementation of legal immigration policies, he emphasized. I support organized legal immigration and within the coming months there will be relevant legislation, he added.
He also said no decision has yet been made on whether to extend the suspension of asylum application examinations from Libya.
About Alexis Tsipras
“Mr. Tsipras failed both as Prime Minister and as leader of the main opposition,” the Prime Minister emphasized, adding that “I don’t feel I defeated Mr. Tsipras. I feel I won the trust of Greek citizens. And we communicate with citizens and we must convince them that our government proposal is the most reliable to ultimately honor us with their trust“.
Answering a related question he said there are some interests, some media, some businessmen who have taken on the role of Mr. Tsipras’s golden sponsor.
About Greek-Turkish relations
Subsequently, answering a question about Greek-Turkish relations he said: “I pursue calm waters, but from a position of strength and confidence without ever making concessions to national interests, sovereignty and sovereign rights of our homeland. And I believe that compared to where we were a year ago, things have changed quite a bit in the field“.
“Greece’s planning is not subject to Turkey’s approval. And I think this is something we have proven in practice. I will continue to communicate with Mr. Erdogan, have open channels, be very honest with him about the issues that concern us,” he added, emphasizing that as long as the casus belli exists, Turkey will not participate in the Safe program.
On the inflation issue, he emphasized that prices do not decrease with VAT reduction.
What he answered to “Parapolitika’s” question about non-state universities
To the question from “Parapolitika” journalist Kostas Papachlimitzou about non-state universities, the criticism the government receives and about the national graduation certificate, the Prime Minister emphasized that for ND the establishment and implementation of non-profit non-state universities has an identity character and he feels proud of how the process proceeds with strict criteria.
He spoke about reform with very large positive development sign and added that both Harvard and Yale have come to Greece through collaborations with public universities. He emphasized that he attributes even greater importance to the extroversion of Greek universities.
He analyzed his vision for Greek university, which as he said, is changing face and emphasized that to this is added that this year the year starts without any occupation.
No one is discussing abolition of panhellenic examinations at this time he clarified subsequently, emphasizing that high school must emerge as an independent educational pole and this is the discussion that has opened.
“I am very concerned about how artificial intelligence changes the educational process,” he emphasized, also underlining that its better utilization is a goal as well as predicting and addressing related risks.
“Elections will be held in 2027”
The question that followed concerned the so-called triptych “political stability, self-sufficiency and four-year exhaustion“. “We will exhaust the four-year term. Elections will be held in 2027” the Prime Minister said categorically, noting that in the past he has proven what he said. He mentioned that he is interested in implementing the agenda of commitments he undertook in 2023 and emphasized that what will happen in 2027 will be decided then by citizens based on 2027 data.
He said excellent work is being done with regional reconstruction plans that bear fruit together with accountability from government and local government. He characteristically mentioned the example of Western Greece and other interventions that make a difference in regional economy infrastructure.
He mentioned that the water management system, sustainable crops, livestock support but also Tourism have particular importance and spoke about new regional development opportunities.
He spoke about significant intervention regarding VAT reduction on islands and in a clarifying question about Evros he said there is a special framework with significant infrastructure projects supporting the local community.
About Antonis Samaras
“I cannot answer Mr. Samaras politically. Today I see a father who lost his child. And for me this covers everything and I don’t want to say anything more, because it’s very fresh, the tragedy is very fresh for him and his family” said the Prime Minister.
“However, I believe the big picture is ultimately a picture of a united coalition, which today is the only force of stability in our homeland and the only force that can ensure Greeks’ prosperity and keep the national ship safe in very difficult times,” he added.
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