In an interview – road map for the immediate and medium-term government priorities (on “Sunday Afternoon“), the Minister of State Akis Skertsos begins with the account of this year’s governmental presence at the International Exhibition of Thessaloniki.
In particular, he points out that “a coherent, analytical, realistic and at the same time visionary plan of 45 points was presented by the prime minister for a more productive, fairer, green, digital, autonomous and strong Greece. With one basic idea at its core: to cure the causes that led to the debt crisis of 2010 so that the younger generations can once again live in our country better than the older ones. In other words, to operate again the elevator of social mobility and rise that somehow “jammed” in the post-colonial years only to collapse completely in the years of the crisis”.
Mitsostakis: The Sunday message after the announcements at the TIF
They are, according to ‘A. Scherzo, “our children and young people. Because our plan serves a double objective: that of dynamic and sustainable growth, on solid foundations instead of shaky foundations, with an increase in national and family incomes, so that by the end of our term we will have come closer to European incomes. At the same time, however, it also serves the goal of redistribution, by reducing the great social and regional inequalities left behind by both the ten-year crisis and the distorted Athens-centric development model that led to it.”
Government: All measures to increase income and reduce taxation
And, more thoroughly then, “our plan – I don’t like the term “basket” – has at its core the transformation of the economy and the essential support of all incomes and especially the most vulnerable”. While responding to the criticism that the government announcements from the TIF did not actually touch the daily life of the citizen, he replies that this criticism “does not recognize that to the 50 taxes that were reduced in the past four years, another 12 tax and contribution reductions were added to this year’s TIF. Such as the permanent abolition of the pretension fee or the reduction by 1 additional unit of the insurance contributions. It is a policy that has been proven to support growth, which has the 2nd highest growth in Europe and thanks to which comes an additional 12 income increases with permanent and extraordinary support to the wages of private and public employees and pensioners. This criticism also ignores that a large part of our plan is dedicated to the housing issue, with an increase in cheap housing loans by 2 billion euros, for an additional 20,000 beneficiaries up to 50 years old, a new program to save energy in old houses with interest-free loans, but and with a three-year suspension of taxation for those owners who convert their closed properties into long-term leases or those properties they rent on short-term leases. If you factor in actions such as free digital tutoring that can relieve families of the cost of national exams or free afternoon surgeries, you will see that we are fighting on many fronts to support household incomes. These are all practical measures that solve problems. After all, this is our job: to respond with efficiency, speed and justice to unsolved problems, whether they come from the past or are new”, assures the Minister of State at the end of his answer.
Especially for the problems in the health sector, since he notes that “the National Health System has been the big patient for years. It had suffered very significant cuts during the memoranda and the long recession and could, literally, have collapsed from the pandemic crisis”, he replies: “Since 2019 we have increased 50% of NHS funding and at the same time secured 1.8 billion .euro through TAA for the restructuring of the public health system with renovations of emergency departments in 92 hospitals and the complete renovation of 164 health centers. The staff of the National Health Service in 2019 was 78,272 people, while in 2024 they serve 86,138 people and another 10,000 recruitments are planned, 6,500 within 2024. After 12 years, there was an increase in doctors’ salaries which reaches 700-800 euros net in positions of responsibility, brave financial incentives were given for the staffing of hospitals in remote areas, we are proceeding with the implementation of the program for the free performance of 37,500 afternoon surgeries with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund, for the first time organized prevention programs with free diagnostic tests were drawn up and are being implemented”. On the other hand, he adds, “obviously there are also shortcomings and failures and lags as happens with any system as complex as the National Health Service. Therefore, we are in a better place than in 2019, but we have a long way to go – and it is one of our key priorities until 2027, to offer quality public health services to citizens”, is the conclusion of ‘A. Scream.
In the account of the government’s reform work, he states that “only in 2024 we have advanced at least ten reforms of a historic nature, which no other government has dared to implement: Non-state Universities, a new Judicial Charter, Postal Vote, a transparent system for the selection of administrations in the public sector through ASEP examinations, interconnection of cash registers with the POS, extension of the digital work card. The evidence answers that this government works and produces, not with spur-of-the-moment impressions, but with methodical work, with strict timetables, with specific goals that are built day by day. Faster, fairer, more efficient is the message we received in the June polls and we want to respond to that,” he underlines in the end.
To the question, if the problems of the opposition cause the government to become complacent, he answers: “Anything else. Our adversary is the problems of the citizens alone. It is certainly important for the democracy, the country and the government that there is a reliable, serious, institutional opposition that will not politicize leveling and nihilistically, which will submit costed and implementable proposals to reduce the areas that need to be improved. Without populism, shouting and toxicity. So far, this kind of opposition is absent, but we are proceeding with the project for which the citizens voted us.”
While on the question, finally, whether the government will make an opening to the center or to the right, the Minister of State states the following: “Firmly, boldly, forward we said 2023 and so we must continue. After all, citizens’ problems have no color. This discussion is indifferent to society as long as the government has open ears and provides solutions to the problems. That is, as long as it remains effective and useful for the place. As its founding declaration wisely says, ND always serves the interests of European Greece, looking for solutions beyond and above the labels of the Left, the Center, and the Right. It has been achieving this for 50 years now thanks to the 6 very distinct elements that make up its DNA, i.e. the belief in parliamentarism, liberalism, non-negotiable Europeanism, political realism and culture and pluralism”.
After all, he concludes, “if we look at things historically, this faction grew and gained electoral influence and hegemony when it strategically sought expansion and partnerships without, of course, shedding its principles and values. This is proven in practice by Kyriakos Mitsotakis with his strong single-party self-governing government, with essentially enlargement, but without the weaknesses and delays that cooperation governments have”, he notes in closing.
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Table of Contents
- 1 Public procurement. These reforms are designed to enhance governance and increase transparency in public administration, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared equitably across society.
- 2 – What are the immediate and medium-term priorities outlined by the Greek government in the recent interview with Minister Akis Skertsos?
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Greek Government’s Roadmap for a Stronger Economy and Better Living
In a recent interview on “Sunday Afternoon,” Minister of State Akis Skertsos outlined the Greek government’s roadmap for the immediate and medium-term priorities, building on the Prime Minister’s vision for a more productive, fairer, green, digital, autonomous, and strong Greece.
A 45-Point Plan for a Better Future
Skertsos highlighted the government’s 45-point plan, which aims to address the causes of the 2010 debt crisis and create a better future for younger generations. The plan focuses on dynamic and sustainable growth, redistribution of wealth, and reducing social and regional inequalities. By the end of their term, the government aims to bring national and family incomes closer to European levels.
Supporting Incomes and Reducing Taxation
The government’s plan prioritizes the transformation of the economy and essential support for all incomes, particularly the most vulnerable. Skertsos responded to criticism that the government’s announcements did not touch the daily life of citizens, pointing out that the government has reduced 50 taxes in the past four years and added 12 more tax and contribution reductions this year. These measures aim to support growth, which has resulted in the 2nd highest growth in Europe, and provide additional income increases with permanent and extraordinary support to wages of private and public employees and pensioners.
Housing and Energy Efficiency
The government’s plan also addresses the housing issue, with an increase in cheap housing loans by 2 billion euros, benefiting an additional 20,000 people up to 50 years old. Furthermore, a new program has been introduced to save energy in old houses with interest-free loans, and a three-year suspension of taxation for property owners who convert their closed properties into long-term leases or rent them on short-term leases.
Healthcare Reforms
Skertsos emphasized the government’s efforts to improve the National Health System, which has suffered significant cuts during the memoranda and recession. Since 2019, the government has increased NHS funding by 50% and secured 1.8 billion euros for the restructuring of the public health system. The staff of the National Health Service has also increased from 78,272 people in 2019 to 86,138 people in 2024, with another 10,000 recruitments planned.
Reforms and Governance
The Minister of State highlighted the government’s historical reforms, including non-state Universities, a new Judicial Charter, Postal Vote, and a transparent system for
– What are the immediate and medium-term priorities outlined by the Greek government in the recent interview with Minister Akis Skertsos?
Greek Government Outlines Immediate and Medium-Term Priorities in Exclusive Interview
In a recent interview on “Sunday Afternoon,” Minister of State Akis Skertsos outlined the Greek government’s immediate and medium-term priorities, highlighting the administration’s commitment to addressing the country’s long-standing challenges and promoting sustainable growth.
A 45-Point Plan for a Stronger Greece
The Minister began by highlighting the Prime Minister‘s 45-point plan, presented at the International Exhibition of Thessaloniki, which focuses on creating a more productive, fairer, green, digital, autonomous, and strong Greece. The plan’s core objective is to address the causes of the 2010 debt crisis, ensuring that younger generations can live better lives than their predecessors.
Supporting Growth and Redistribution
Skertsos emphasized that the government’s plan serves a dual purpose: promoting dynamic and sustainable growth while reducing social and regional inequalities. By increasing national and family incomes, the government aims to bridge the gap with European income levels by the end of its term.
Measures to Boost Incomes and Reduce Taxation
The Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting all incomes, particularly the most vulnerable, through measures such as:
Reducing 50 taxes over the past four years, with an additional 12 tax and contribution reductions announced at the Thessaloniki exhibition
Increasing cheap housing loans by 2 billion euros, benefiting an additional 20,000 individuals up to 50 years old
Introducing a new program to save energy in old houses with interest-free loans
Implementing a three-year taxation suspension for property owners who convert their closed properties into long-term leases or rent them on short-term leases
Providing free digital tutoring to relieve families of the cost of national exams
Offering free afternoon surgeries to support household incomes
Addressing Health Sector Challenges
Skertsos acknowledged the National Health System’s (NHS) struggles, noting that it had suffered significant cuts during the memoranda and recession. The government has taken steps to address these challenges, including:
Increasing NHS funding by 50% since 2019
Securing 1.8 billion euros through the Technical Assistance Agency (TAA) for the restructuring of the public health system
Renovating emergency departments in 92 hospitals and 164 health centers
Recruiting additional staff, with plans to add 10,000 more personnel, including 6,500 in 2024
Implementing a program for the free performance of 37,500 afternoon surgeries with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund
Introducing organized prevention programs with free diagnostic tests
Reform Work and Priorities
The Minister highlighted the government’s progress in advancing historic reforms, including:
Non-state Universities
A new Judicial Charter
Postal Vote
A transparent system for the selection of administrative officials
Skertsos concluded that while there are still shortcomings and failures in the system, the government is committed to addressing these challenges and providing quality public health services to citizens.
Key Takeaways
The Greek government’s immediate and medium-term priorities focus on promoting sustainable growth, reducing social and regional inequalities, and addressing long-standing challenges in the health sector. Through a range of measures, the administration aims to increase incomes, reduce taxation, and improve the quality of life for Greek citizens.
Optimized Keywords:
Greek government priorities
Minister of State Akis Skertsos
International Exhibition of Thessaloniki
Sustainable growth
Social and regional inequalities
Health sector challenges
National Health System (NHS)
Taxation reduction
Income increase
Government reforms
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Discover the Greek government’s immediate and medium-term priorities, including measures to promote sustainable growth, reduce social and regional inequalities, and address health sector challenges.