In his regular Sunday address, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis began by referring to the arson attack in Thessaloniki and the death of Vagia Nestora, emphasizing that “no ideological pretext can justify a murderous attack” and stating that the perpetrators will be held accountable by the justice system.
Below is the Prime Minister’s full Facebook post:
“Just as in life, so too in politics, there are moments when everything else takes a back seat. The tragic loss of a human life following the arson attack in Thessaloniki has overshadowed every other development this week.
Our country has paid a very high price—in blood and suffering—for senseless violence. What happened in Thessaloniki demonstrates in the harshest possible way that no ideological pretext can justify a murderous attack. The perpetrators of this ruthless attack against New Democracy officials will be found and brought to justice.
It is clear that our steadfast resolve since 2019 to combat lawlessness and enforce the law everywhere is bothering some people. So let it be known, right here and now, that we will not back down, nor will we allow the country to return to the years of division. Just as the November 17 organization was dismantled and Golden Dawn was disbanded, so too will these cowards who pretend to be revolutionaries meet the same fate.
And, obviously, it’s not enough to simply condemn violence after the damage has been done. All of us—political parties and politicians alike—must reflect on our responsibilities. When political discourse becomes toxic and divisive, when we treat our opponents as enemies who must be eliminated, then we are essentially paving the way for those who wish to commit crimes.
We experienced this all too painfully during the years of the crisis, and we must not allow it to happen again. We will fight this battle against the mindsets that hold us back to the very end. For remembrance is the daily struggle that every democracy must wage if it does not want to—and must not—repeat the mistakes of the past.
This is particularly important today, as we mark the 11th anniversary of the tragic 2015 referendum that nearly took us out of the euro. The forces that brought it about “have learned nothing, but they have forgotten nothing either.” And today they are reappearing with exactly the same political views and without any sincere remorse, seeking the citizens’ vote once again. Greece will move forward, even if some refuse to learn from the mistakes of the past.
To be perfectly honest, this is one of those times when I find it difficult to continue this review as if it were just another ordinary week. But I must do so, because reality out there doesn’t stop.
So, I’ll start with the most pressing issue: inflation. Through our initiative, we secured a commitment from the business community that, in July and August, there will be no price increases, the price caps on 2,000 product codes will remain in place during those two months, and preparations will be made so that, starting in early September, there will also be a significant price reduction on essential products widely used by the average Greek household.
In the same spirit of supporting families, we have fulfilled yet another commitment. Earlier this week, the one-time payment of 150 euros per child was disbursed to approximately 950,000 families, without requiring any application from the beneficiaries. The aid covers 1,525,188 children, and for children born after January 1, 2025, who do not yet have a tax identification number, we have scheduled a second payment by the end of August.
We have also been fully consistent in our support for farmers, having completed the first round of payments for the first half of the year. The transition of OPEKEPE to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE)—a difficult but necessary reform—is already beginning to yield results. More than 617 million euros were paid to approximately 530,000 actual beneficiaries, while total agricultural subsidies since the beginning of the year have exceeded 1.1 billion euros.
Most importantly, payments were made with greater reliability and transparency—a fact acknowledged by the farmers themselves. As a result, we are now able to reallocate resources that until now had been going to those who were not entitled to them, and actual producers received a 15% increase this year, with even greater support coming in the next payment cycle this fall.
I want to focus on the next measure, as I consider it particularly important. I wrote to you about it on Friday as well. Through legislation, we are permanently correcting an injustice in widow’s pensions by repealing the cut mandated by the Katrougkalos law after the three-year period has elapsed. Beneficiaries will continue to receive 70% of the deceased’s pension, without the reduction to 35%, without having to repay a single euro retroactively; and if they receive two national pensions, they will continue to receive them as usual.
This is a decision based on social justice that is being implemented without jeopardizing the fiscal stability of the social security system, as rising employment and the implementation of the digital work card are steadily boosting the revenues of the social security funds.
Last week, the OECD also released a particularly important report confirming that Greece has turned a new page, closing yet another painful chapter of the crisis of the past decade: that of the brain drain. With the endorsement of an international organization, it is now recognized that, starting in 2023—for the first time in many years—more Greeks are returning to our homeland than are leaving
. In total, during the two-year period of 2023–2024, 98,000 Greeks returned, while 69,000 left. The “brain drain” is now turning into a “brain gain.” This did not happen by chance. It is the result of the stability we have achieved, the growth we have generated, and the policies we have implemented since 2019: more jobs, better prospects, tax incentives for repatriation, support for innovation, a digital government, and reforms that make Greece a more attractive place to live and create.
I know that not all problems have been solved. There is still much to be done so that our young people can find even more opportunities here, better pay, and a government that rewards hard work. However, the data show that we are on the right track. We are moving forward consistently so that Greece can finally become a country of return, prospects, and optimism for all Greeks.
The next section of this review is the health sector. This week we inaugurated the renovated Penteli Children’s Hospital, a project that fundamentally changes the daily lives of young patients, their families, and the people who work there. It is more than just a building renovation, as it also includes improvements to the outdoor areas, infrastructure for people with disabilities, and many other amenities that contribute to a radical upgrade of the health services provided.
This new renovation is part of the largest upgrade to the National Health System’s infrastructure since its establishment, and it is being carried out by our government, just as we committed to doing in 2023. I would like to thank the Kaizen Foundation, a public-benefit foundation, for its significant donation.
As for the National Health System (ESY) staff, I would like to note that in the largest simultaneous job posting in the history of the ESY, the response from the medical community was significantly improved, as 962 out of 1,171 positions were filled. This is clear proof that the institutional and financial incentives we have put in place are working.
The remaining 209 positions that were left unfilled are mainly in hospitals in underserved areas, although, compared to the past, there was ultimately a response in some of these areas. All of these vacant positions will be re-advertised this summer. I would like to point out that this year’s plan calls for the largest annual increase in National Health System (ESY) staffing, which includes 5,208 permanent positions (1,800 medical, 1,930 nursing positions, and 1,478 other staff positions) and 3,000 temporary positions, bringing the total potential increase to 8,208 people.
There had also been much discussion about free afternoon surgeries, an initiative of ours aimed at reducing the waiting time for surgery to less than 4 months. This goal was largely achieved. In the spring of 2024, there were 90,000 surgeries pending, and in some cases, the wait reached two years.
Today, the number of surgeries with a wait time of 4 to 6 months has “dropped” to 7,000! In this effort, this special program of the Recovery Fund served as a major catalyst, providing free services to 26,000 of our fellow citizens. Although it concluded on June 30, if the pressure rises again, a solution will be sought using state funds.
Another reform I’d like to highlight this week concerns local government. With the new Local Government Code, we are streamlining an institutional framework that had become complex and fragmented over the years.
We are modernizing and simplifying the way municipalities and regions operate, strengthening their autonomy, and providing them with more tools so they can respond more effectively to the needs of local communities. Among other things, we are establishing a single-round election for mayors and regional governors, the option for electronic voting is being introduced, a new system for filling staff positions through the ASEP electronic roster is being created, and the option to grant a birth allowance of up to 3,000 euros per child—subject to a decision by the Municipal Council—is being provided, and support for employees in mountainous and island municipalities through expanded social benefits.
The ultimate goal of this reform is simple: less bureaucracy, greater efficiency, and better service for citizens.
And moving on to infrastructure projects, another major project is entering its final stages. ADMIE has completed the fourth and final phase of the electrical interconnection of the Cyclades with the mainland power grid, with the integration of Santorini, Folegandros, Milos, and Serifos.
The necessary tests will be conducted in the coming period so that the interconnection can gradually become fully operational over the next few months. This is a project of strategic importance that strengthens the energy security of our islands, particularly during the summer months, while simultaneously reducing their dependence on polluting oil-fired power plants and contributing to the green transition.
I’ll stay with our islands, where, using NSRF funds, we are moving forward with the construction of housing for doctors, nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers serving in island municipalities. The first homes have already been secured in Lipsi, Astypalea, Ithaca, Tinos, Amorgos, Patmos, and the Municipality of Agios Vasilios, while the program calls for the construction of a total of 100 homes.
In a similar vein, though not on an island, the first 40 deeds were handed over in Grevena to the beneficiaries of the workers’ housing units in the Kyrakli settlement, resolving an issue that had been pending for nearly 20 years. DYPA has undertaken to complete the project by 2023, which will include a total of 80 homes and the necessary shared infrastructure.
Another issue that affects all of our daily lives—as well as road safety—is the rapid proliferation of electric scooters. This new reality on our streets requires rules, because we have already lost young lives. That is why people under the age of 17 will not be allowed to ride electric scooters on the road; the fine for those exceeding 50 km per hour will increase to 350 euros; and riders must carry valid identification and proof of mandatory insurance.
On the other hand, companies that sell, provide, or rent electric scooters to individuals under the age of 17 will be fined 1,000 euros. I ask everyone to be especially careful when using electric scooters. They are not toys.
Moving on to the field of Education, where the free Digital Tutoring Platform will remain operational throughout July and August. The “live” lessons concluded with the end of the National Exams, but we decided to keep the platform open and provide free access to thousands of hours of educational content, review materials, practice exams, and recorded lessons to help children prepare.
At the same time, starting with the new school year, we are implementing significant changes to the country’s school network so that it better meets the needs of students and reflects the demographic trends in each region.
Consequently, ten new secondary schools are being established, while special education is being significantly strengthened through the upgrading of 14 schools to special education facilities and the establishment of five new ones in areas with increased needs, specifically in Sapes, Rodopi; Skopelos; Monolofos in Western Thessaloniki, Rethymno, and Leros.
All of the new facilities will begin operating in the 2026–2027 school year. Needs change, and the school system must adapt so that every child has access to the education they need, as close as possible to where they live.
I’ll conclude with some news from the world of culture. After 12 years, the Archaeological Museum of Argos has reopened its doors, fully renovated and modernized. It now has more than double the exhibition space, showcasing unique artifacts from the Mycenaean civilization, giving both local residents and visitors the opportunity to better understand the history of one of our country’s most important archaeological sites. And I would like to note that since 2019, 32 new or fully renovated museums have been opened to the public throughout Greece. The importance we place on culture is enduring, and this is demonstrated in practice.
With that, I conclude today’s review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. Have a great Sunday!”