The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, assured that the Prime Minister’s announcements at this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair will have a broad social focus, noting that “the whole of society must be able to see itself reflected” in the measures to be presented.
Speaking on Status FM, the minister emphasized that the Greek economy continues to outperform expectations; however, the government is operating within European fiscal rules. As he noted, any additional fiscal space created is used to support citizens, rejecting the idea of benefits that cannot be financed.
Referring to scenarios for reinstating the 13th and 14th monthly salaries or pensions, he noted that the total fiscal cost would reach 8 billion euros, while reinstating the 13th monthly salary and the 13th pension alone would require approximately 4 billion euros, an amount many times greater than the fiscal space available at the 2025 Thessaloniki International Trade Fair. For this reason, he explained, the final decisions will be made by September, depending on the available fiscal margins.
Mr. Pierrakakis maintained that the primary goal of economic policy remains increasing disposable income through growth, job creation, and tax cuts. He noted that the government has implemented 83 tax and contribution cuts, while defending the decision to cut direct taxes rather than implement across-the-board reductions in VAT or the Special Consumption Tax, arguing that targeted measures are more effective and socially fairer.
At the same time, he emphasized that addressing inflation, housing costs, and energy prices is a top priority, with many of the solutions requiring European coordination.
According to the minister, the government’s strategy combines fiscal stability with returning the economy’s surplus to society, placing particular emphasis on those most in need.