Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos gave an interview to radio station Parapolitika 90.1, on the show “She and I” with journalists Stella Gantona and Thanasis Fouskidis, where he addressed crucial economic and political issues. Mr. Theodorikakos focused particularly on the cost of living, emphasizing that school supplies remain stable at 15% cheaper compared to two years ago, while announcing that price reductions are expected for hundreds of food product codes. He also previewed the creation of a powerful Independent Consumer Protection Authority, discussed the need to strengthen production, and provided political responses regarding polls, elections, and New Democracy’s relationship with former prime ministers.
Full interview of Takis Theodorikakos on Parapolitika 90.1
Among other things, Mr. Theodorikakos emphasized:
School supply costs
Regarding school supply costs, Mr. Theodorikakos stated: “I called supermarket representatives and demanded, as society requires, that they maintain stable prices for school supplies which are 15% cheaper than two years ago. They undertook this commitment and from what I can see, they are keeping it. This applies to supermarkets, but each citizen will decide where to buy school supplies for their child based on their budget and what exactly they want to purchase. We did what we had to and could do to ensure a minimum standard for those facing greater difficulties, and from there the market operates and everyone buys from where they want and can.”
When asked which product codes should expect price reduction interventions, Mr. Theodorikakos replied: “I called supermarket representatives and food industry representatives – all of them continue under strict control regarding misleading discounts because last year we reached an agreement that is generally being maintained. I have asked representatives of these market sectors and industries to proceed with price reductions on hundreds of codes because I believe they have the ability to reduce their average profit margin. Which codes they will reduce is in a phase of negotiation and discussion among themselves. For those products where they can make price reductions, I expect their proposals within no more than two weeks so they can be announced and contribute to efforts to contain the cost of living.
Our country must proceed in a coordinated way with a strategic change in the production model. I presented this together with the Prime Minister last October with the central idea to modernize and upgrade the primary sector, strengthen processing and industry, and introduce innovation into the adapted economy to have products we can export that will be innovative and competitive. We cannot live only on tourism and real estate because that leads nowhere. This is directly related to the price issue. This summer, the product that skyrocketed and became more expensive than anything else was beef. The reality is that we Greeks consume 160,000 tons of beef per year but don’t produce even 40,000 tons, and the forecasts are unfortunately negative. This happened because throughout Europe, beef production is falling because the EU has set very high environmental standards within the framework of green transition, costs increase production of this meat significantly, this process becomes unprofitable for many, and we are dependent on imports. If we want to control prices, we must increase our production and in some products we must be self-sufficient, so the agricultural and livestock sectors must be reborn and upgraded.”
VAT reduction
When asked if there’s a possibility of VAT reduction, Mr. Theodorikakos replied: “The main argument of the economic team is that if we reduce VAT, based on the experience of Spain and Portugal who did it, it’s a matter of two to three months before it gets incorporated into product prices and thus instead of lightening consumers’ pockets, it adds to the pockets of those who sell.”
Asked about the Independent Consumer Protection and Market Supervision Authority, he stated: This is the most serious reform being implemented, the creation of the new powerful Independent Consumer Protection and Market Supervision Authority which I have asked opposition parties and society to support with all their strength. We all need to do this together. …The timeline is voting on the bill within October, it will immediately acquire a director. The director will have a 4-year term and will not depend on the government or the current minister. There will be three deputy directors, it will be an AADE model in the market and I believe it will be a matter of six months before the Authority is fully operational with 300 additional inspectors and new digital tools to do its job more effectively.”
On polls
Asked to comment on polls, Mr. Theodorikakos stated: “Don’t try to find in polls what the result of the next elections will be. Obviously New Democracy has wear compared to what it received in the double elections of 2023, this doesn’t need measurements – I’m in constant communication with citizens, I see people and hear criticisms, but when election time comes, citizens face real dilemmas and real choices. When elections happen, they will have to choose first of all who they want to be prime minister for the next four years and which policies they want to strengthen. I don’t talk about ‘Mitsotakis or chaos’ but it’s obvious that when the next elections come we’ll say ‘Mitsotakis or…’ and the question will be whether facing him as the dominant political figure in the opposition will be Mr. Tsipras or Mr. Androulakis. My assessment is that these two figures will compete to be the main opponents against Mr. Mitsotakis. Until recently Ms. Konstantopoulou was also there, so I believe the coming months will pass with a civil war among opposition forces.”
On electoral law
Asked if he would change the electoral law, Takis Theodorikakos replied: “The Prime Minister closed this issue and I believe this discussion has no meaning.
On Messrs. Samaras and Karamanlis
Referring to Messrs. Samaras and Karamanlis, Mr. Theodorikakos commented: I don’t speak of mistakes but want to express my view. I believe that Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Samaras as prime ministers and past leaders of New Democracy delivered very serious positive work both for the party and for Greece’s progress and these belong to Greece’s memory and New Democracy’s memory. I believe it would be beneficial if the relationship between today’s New Democracy and former prime ministers became exceptionally better and became what it was for many years when we were in opposition and as it was the first four years of the country’s governance by New Democracy and Mr. Mitsotakis. I say this not only out of respect for former prime ministers but because I don’t see any serious and substantial political issue where differences from current leadership are so serious. I don’t see any such serious and major issue, so let’s all contribute to strong New Democracy unity whose political proposal and politics are factors of progress and stability for Greece.
