“Arbitrary claims that run counter to the Law of the Sea have no validity. They do not create faits accomplis or overturn our national plans,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his opening remarks to the cabinet, referring to the Turkish-Libyan memorandum.
Greece, the prime minister noted, “is proposing a global maritime ceasefire that would open up vital trade routes, keeping the cost of living down worldwide”.
He spoke of “global turmoil to which no national policy can respond” and added: “I know that many households are under strain. We are doing what is best. The reserves built up through our prudent economic policies make us cautiously optimistic”.
Government priorities
The prime minister set out the government’s priorities up to the election:
In the economy, the focus is on implementing the tax measures announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair and introducing new rules to support major growth projects, particularly in manufacturing. Infrastructure priorities include Thessaloniki’s Flyover and the completion of a further 25 kilometres of the Northern Road Axis of Crete.
In employment, the government plans another increase in the minimum wage, bringing it to €1,000 by early 2028, an expansion of the Digital Work Card and greater protection for workers on digital platforms. In housing, plans include speeding up the “Renovate-Rent” programme, the social land-for-flats scheme and the construction of homes on disused military bases.
In health, the government is pursuing stronger preventive care and the role of the health adviser. In education, preparations are under way for the National Leaving Certificate, along with the completion of renovations at a further 500 schools and the delivery of two student residences at Panteion University and in Tripoli.
For the public sector, priorities include upgrading the “Diavgeia” transparency programme, fully connecting urban planning offices to the Cadastre, and using technology to manage court cases and carry out building inspections. In Civil Protection and public safety, plans include improving the “112” emergency system, monitoring road traffic and opening new offices to combat domestic violence.
Meanwhile, the government plans to complete marine parks and spatial planning, as well as projects to tackle water shortages. In defence, following the second frigate, “Nearchos”, plans call for the delivery of a further 7 Romeo helicopters and the production of Greek drones.