In his weekly post, the Prime Minister outlines a series of government initiatives linked to the vision of “Greece in 2030,” ranging from constitutional reform and the economy to the National Health System, the digitization of the public sector, and civil protection. The central message is the gradual resolution of long-standing problems and the strengthening of the country’s development trajectory.
In detail:
Good morning and happy Sunday. If I had to find a phrase that connects many of the themes of today’s review, it would be “Greece in 2030.” A country that is more modern, more functional, and more mature, leaving the problems and unresolved issues of the past firmly behind. You’ll understand why I say this as we go along.
Let me begin, then, with our proposal for Constitutional Revision, yet another commitment of ours being put into action. The changes we are proposing may seem bold to some. I believe, however, that they are necessary for a country that wants to look to the future with confidence.
We propose the establishment of non-state universities, amending the article on ministerial responsibility and further strengthening the independence of the judiciary, linking tenure in the civil service to performance evaluations, constitutional protection of the country against any threat of bankruptcy, the recognition of affordable housing as a state obligation, stronger provisions for addressing the climate crisis, and a framework of principles for the use of Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of people and society.
Different initiatives, with a common goal: a country better prepared for the challenges of the future. We are not proposing these changes with an eye toward the next election, but toward the next decade. The year 2030 marks the 200th anniversary of the official establishment of the Greek state. I would like us to be able to say then that we took certain steps that the country has owed itself for decades. And I hope all political forces will present their positions, because this endeavor transcends us all and needs us all.
If there is, however, one development that shows the country is indeed leaving behind some of the most burdensome unresolved issues of the past, it is the European Commission’s decision to remove Greece from the list of countries with “macroeconomic imbalances,” officially closing a chapter that began 16 years ago, at the start of the debt crisis.
For the first time in many years, Greece is no longer discussed in Europe as part of the problem, but as an example of progress and stability. That is why I find it hard to understand those who rush to downplay the significance of this development. Because it is precisely these macroeconomic imbalances in which we were trapped for years that keep citizens’ incomes diverging from those of other European countries.
And this is a development that is neither accidental nor self-evident. It is the result of the efforts of the people and the political stability that allowed the country to move forward during a period of successive international crises.
Today, the Greek economy is growing at a faster rate than the European average, reducing public debt at the fastest rate in Europe, and has created nearly 600,000 new jobs. And as the economy grows stronger, the more opportunities we have to return the benefits of this progress to society.
Obviously, being removed from this list does not mean that all problems have been solved. It does not mean that inflation has disappeared or that incomes are where we want them to be. It does mean, however, that the country now has a much more solid foundation to address these challenges and continue to converge with the most developed European economies.
Another decades-long issue that is now being resolved is the codification of spatial planning and urban development legislation. With the new Spatial Planning and Urban Development Code passed by Parliament, provisions that until now were scattered across 119 laws and 53 presidential decrees— some of which dated back as far as 1923!
A significant reform that brings order to an area that for years has plagued citizens, professionals, investors, and the public administration. In achieving this landmark undertaking, the role of Nikos Tagaras, whom we recently lost, was pivotal. A rare individual and a moderate, capable politician, respected even by his political opponents. To me, a friend. He was guided by a sense of responsibility, serving his country in whatever position he held. That is why we named the Spatial Planning Organization project after him, as a small tribute to a true public servant.
Changing the subject, I turn to the National Health System (ESY), whose upgrade continues with the results of this major reform now visible. Here’s the latest: just in the last few days, three more fully renovated Emergency Departments were handed over in Kilkis, Kavala, and Alexandroupoli, while the renovation of the Thermi Health Center was completed. At the same time, two new clinics were inaugurated: the Ophthalmology Clinic at the “ACHEPA” University General Hospital, and the Pulmonology Clinic at the “Hippocrates” General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Ippokratio,” as well as the “IASIS Generations | Kilkis” Comprehensive Day Care Center, one of seven modern facilities providing comprehensive services to individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and related neurodegenerative disorders. Particularly in the areas of dementia and autism, we see that these facilities meet the real needs of families and local communities.
That is why we are moving forward with the creation of 40 new units across the country, 20 for dementia and 20 for autism.
Other important government actions: we are raising the protection threshold for unseizable accounts from 1,250 to 1,600 euros, adjusting it for the first time in many years to reflect current conditions. Our goal is to ensure that those with debts can retain a larger amount available for their basic daily needs, without this, of course, negating their obligation to pay off their debts.
The Digital Work Card is now being expanded to the health, telecommunications, cleaning services, and repair sectors, as well as other activities, covering an additional 476,000 workers. This will be implemented gradually in two phases, with the aim of protecting more workers by combating undeclared and under-declared work and accurately recording actual working hours.
The Digital Work Card now covers approximately 2.5 million workers, and it is worth noting that in 2025, over 2.7 million additional overtime hours were reported and paid compared to 2024.
Another significant change is now moving from theory to practice. The politis.gov.gr platform has gone live, allowing citizens to digitally track the status of their applications with the government. For the first time, they will know exactly what stage their case is at, which agency is handling it, and what the estimated completion time is.
The platform for the “Neighborhood Nannies” program has also been launched at ntantades.gov.gr, allowing families to select a caregiver for children aged 2 months to 2.5 years.
Early data indicate that the program meets a real need, as interest is already particularly high. I would like to remind you that the program provides financial assistance of up to 500 euros per month for parents who work full-time or are self-employed, and up to 300 euros for parents who work part-time or are looking for work.
In fact, a caregiver may also be a family member, such as a grandmother, provided they meet the specified requirements. Furthermore, we are proceeding with a necessary amendment to the important Personal Assistant program. On small islands, where there is often a shortage of personal assistants, relatives will now be able to take on this role. Thus, our fellow citizens with disabilities will not be deprived of such an important service because of where they live, while the daily care often provided by the family itself can now be officially incorporated into the program and actively supported.
Since I have mentioned new possibilities and new options, I would like to highlight an initiative of particular symbolic significance. For the first time, the Greek Armed Forces welcomed female volunteers who chose to serve their military service. A total of 72 Greek women reported to the Recruit Training Center in Lamia and will be sworn in at the end of June. The voluntary enlistment program is operating on a pilot basis and provides for a 12-month term of service for women aged 20 to 26.
Incentives for those who wish to serve include recognition of their service period as prior work experience and bonus points in ASEP competitions for recruitment as professional soldiers or for the hiring of graduates as civilian personnel. Good luck to our female soldiers!
In the realm of culture, I would like to mention an important initiative by our country, which returned to Cyprus 48 antiquities from the collection of Ambassador Christos Zacharakis, whose heirs asked the Greek government to return them to where they belong. It is a move that confirms, if nothing else, that Greece applies the same principles it invokes when claiming the repatriation of its own antiquities.
We have now entered June and, with it, the most demanding phase of the fire season. The reasonable question on citizens’ minds is whether the country is better prepared today to face the risk of wildfires compared to previous years.
The answer cannot be given in words, but through the continuous strengthening of Civil Protection’s resources and capabilities. In this context, the Fire Department has received 10 new tractors that will meet critical needs for transporting fire trucks and specialized equipment throughout the country. They will be allocated to the Regional Administrations of mainland Greece and Crete, helping to mobilize forces more quickly where needed. This is yet another addition to the equipment the country is acquiring through the “AIGIS” program, with the aim of being as prepared as possible for the increasingly difficult conditions created by the climate crisis.
Before I conclude, I would like to congratulate the fishermen of Amorgos on the “Amorgorama” being awarded the first Annual Sustainable Fisheries Award established by the Ministry of Rural Development. Those of you who read my reviews regularly may recall that I have mentioned this initiative in the past; it has become a benchmark for sustainable fishing in the Mediterranean. I am particularly pleased when such efforts are recognized and rewarded.
I’ll conclude by returning to the thought with which I began. The topics you’ve read about today may seem very different from one another. From the Constitution and the economy to the National Health System, the public sector, or Civil Protection. But they have something in common: they show a country that isn’t standing still, but is striving to solve problems that have plagued it for years. That is why I spoke at the beginning about Greece in 2030. Because this Greece will not suddenly emerge one day. It is being built step by step, through the changes taking place today.
Have a good day!