Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s decision to task the Deputy Prime Minister with coordinating the drafting of New Democracy’s government program, “Agenda 2030,” “is not just an honor,” Kostis Hatzidakis writes in a related post.
And he adds: “It is important, first, because I like to tackle the challenges of the future and not get bogged down in mere daily political squabbles. Second, because the New Democracy program, after seven years in government, must make it clear to everyone that there are, in fact, new ideas and realistic solutions, tailored to the needs of the present day. We will not win a vote of gratitude, but a vote of realistic hope and vision. And third, because if New Democracy does not have a modern and credible program, I fear that, given the current political landscape, no party will have one—with all that this implies for our country.
I want to emphasize that, while we are discussing Greece in 2030, the opposition has decided that the next elections will be held amid a climate of civil strife, toxicity, and reckless handouts. Others are peddling outlandish theories. Others are promising 20 salaries and 25 pensions. And we’ve reached the point where we see a former prime minister proudly declaring that it was his mistake not to have closed the banks on the very first day of his term. In other words, to send the country back to the Stone Age!”
Continuing, he emphasizes: “Our response will be the ‘Agenda 2030’: From here on out, we have an obligation to keep what is right, correct our mistakes, and in any case, pick up the pace. Because the world is constantly changing. And within this international environment, the formulation of a realistic yet ambitious government program is not a partisan exercise. It is, rather, an obligation to the Greek people, who deserve an even better future.
Our program will emphasize three things: The need for a more productive Greece, with a fairer distribution of income. While the focus until now has been on fiscal stability and an investment-friendly approach, from now on the focus will be on productivity, competitiveness, equal opportunities, and meaningful support for those who truly need it. With an emphasis on the institution of the family, as demographic and housing issues are closely tied to the family.
The goal is for us, as workers, to be able to produce more while leveraging modern technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, research, and technology. But we must never forget that there are fellow citizens who have been left behind and children in rural areas—especially in mountainous regions and on the islands—who deserve equal opportunities with children in the cities. We won’t give anyone a monopoly on social sensitivity!” he declares, elaborating:
“Our program will also place great emphasis on a more modern state with transparent operations. The upcoming constitutional revision offers us a great opportunity for an institutional reboot. With major changes to our constitution: Among other things, by revising Article 86 so that politicians’ responsibilities are judged by the courts and not by parliament.
By appointing the leadership of the highest courts without the government interference seen to date, thereby fostering greater trust in our institutions. Through reforms that will modernize the electoral system and make the operations of political parties more transparent in terms of their finances and internal party democracy. By enshrining in the constitution the evaluation of public servants and linking it to the abolition of tenure.
And of course, in an era of geopolitical turmoil and international uncertainty, the country needs to further strengthen its deterrent power, its diplomatic presence, and its role as a pillar of stability in the region. It needs to leverage its position as an energy hub of Southeast Europe, take a leading role in new energy, transport, and data networks, and ensure that its voice carries even greater weight in Europe and internationally.
2030 is not a random date. It is the year our country will mark 200 years since the founding of the modern Greek state. The question is whether we will reach this historic milestone having taken another great step forward, or whether we will have missed yet another opportunity, confirming that the myth of Sisyphus did not arise by chance from this very country.
We do not play games with our homeland. And the New Democracy program is an opportunity to show that the majority of citizens rightly place their hopes in New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Not because we haven’t made mistakes. But because we say less than others, striving to do it all. Because we insist on a relationship of honesty with the citizens. And that New Democracy is a political force that, in step with international, economic, and technological developments, offers modern and realistic solutions, while our opponents offer demagoguery and toxicity.
“So, let’s get to work for the Greece of 2030!” he concludes.