The Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos, presented a series of initiatives aimed at boosting the economy and attracting investment during an interview with SKAI TV. During his remarks, the minister analyzed the new institutional framework for businesses, while also commenting on current political developments, the reappearance of Alexis Tsipras, and the government’s work in the market sector.
Referring to the Ministry of Development’s bill on Foreign Direct Investment, which was approved by the Cabinet, Mr. Theodorikakos emphasized that “the goal of all the work we are doing is to attract investment, to bring jobs to Greece, to further reduce unemployment, and at the same time to ensure that the jobs created are better and bring back Greek scientific talent, young people who left during the crisis.”
As he explained, with the new bill, the incentive policy is now more decisively focused on productive investments ranging from 10 to 50 million euros, as investments exceeding 50 million euros fall under the framework of strategic investments. “We are focusing particularly on productive investments and providing incentives for real jobs in modern sectors, in new technologies, in manufacturing, and in activities that will help advance technology, the digital and green transformation of the economy, and create better jobs,” emphasized the Minister of Development.
On the political side of the interview, Mr. Theodorikakos commented on the former Prime Minister’s announcement of the new party, noting that “Alexis Tsipras ’s ‘Chapter 2’ is a repeat of ‘Chapter 1.’” He noted that Mr. Tsipras “is repeating an old, dogmatic, left-wing rhetoric that has failed,” adding that he avoids confronting the critical choices of his administration.
“He fails to tell the Greeks anything about the heavy overtaxation he imposed, which very deliberately destroyed the middle class. He avoids saying a single word about the bank closures. He doesn’t say a word about his collaboration with the far right. He doesn’t say a word about the toxic and divisive atmosphere, those infamous ‘either we finish them off or they finish us off’ remarks. It’s as if we’re foreigners in this country; aren’t we all Greeks?” he noted pointedly.
In his view, this resurgence raises strategic issues for PASOK, as an electoral showdown is expected between Mr. Tsipras and Mr. Androulakis for the second spot. “Mr. Tsipras’s presence makes it easier to address the real dilemmas. And the real dilemma will be: with New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a steady path toward economic recovery, improving the situation of all Greek citizens, for a safe Greece, more productive and more dynamic, one that will withstand the turbulence of the times, or will we return to the experiments of Tsipras and other left-wing forces from 2015, which nearly blew the country to smithereens, ” he stated.
Responding to criticism regarding the country’s domestic situation, Mr. Theodorikakos pointed out that these arguments are refuted by reality and the facts. As he noted, “During the New Democracy government’s seven years, 650,000 jobs were created. This didn’t just fall from the sky: it happened thanks to our own policies to attract investment, reduce taxes, and create jobs. And there is no stronger social policy than that.” He also noted that the average wage in the private sector has risen to 1,500 euros, adding that income growth, tax cuts, and market controls form the core of the government’s policy on the cost of living.
At the same time, he noted that during a period of international uncertainty, the government implemented measures such as a cap on profit margins for food, basic necessities, and fuel. “If this measure had not been in place, inflation would be much higher and the cost-of-living problem for many households would be far worse. That is the reality, ” he said, adding that Mr. Tsipras had not adopted similar initiatives during his term in office.
Finally, when asked about the statements made by former Prime Ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras, Mr. Theodorikakos noted that they were expressing their personal views, clarifying, however, that “the government cannot agree with these views.” He concluded by pointing out that a distinction must be made between their positions, as “what Mr. Karamanlis says is not the same as what Mr. Samaras has said.”