Five government initiatives for the next period were presented by the Vice President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakisreferring to “key movements” aimed at a more powerful Greece.
Concluding the 29th annual Economist conference, Mr. Hatzidakis specifically mentioned:
1. In the Prime Minister’s announcements next September at the TIF. “They will move on many levels, but mainly to further tax cuts, mainly for the middle class. Which is basically possible thanks to the battle against tax evasion, the introduction of the digital work card and the highs compared to other European Union growth rates, “he said.
2. In the battle with the deep state. “Following the successes we had with digital modernization, tax evasion, PPC, EFKA, the introduction of digital health processes, the battle will be fought in two main areas. OPECEPE and OSE. As we did in other areas we will do it in these two. Before the elections there will be tangible examples for it. “
3. In the special battle to do with the operation of the State. “Despite progress, we still have” everyday madness stories “. We will make the public more friendly to the citizen, the interaction with public services simpler. And we will intensify our assessment efforts by expanding the field to education and introducing patients’ evaluation to health. We will also proceed with the digital work card in the State, “the Deputy Prime Minister said.
4. In the national strategy for waters. “The Mediterranean is at the heart of the climate crisis and Greece is 19th worldwide in terms of hazardousness for water scarcity. There have been a number of moves, but it needs a coherent national strategy that will face the fragmentation of water planning and management. This will be one of the key government priorities, “Mr. Hatzidakis stressed.
5.The social field, a sector in which by activating the three new European funds are added new weapons to improve everyday life and quality of life. As the Deputy Prime Minister said, the budget of the three funds equals half a recovery fund and these funds will be funded, inter alia: the upgrading of the subway, the supply of new electric buses, a new faster “saving” and actions to support our fellow citizens.
“We will move forward,” he underlined, “knowing that citizens are not just about what has been done but claim further interventions that will lead to a better quality of life, reinforcement of income and stronger Greece.”
The deputy prime minister also referred to the main successes of government policy, noting, among other things, the budget surplus in 2024, the record in foreign investment, the recovery of investment grade from all ratings agencies, the reduction of unemployment under 8% for the first time after 2008.
And, he added that the government continues without hesitation, and during the second four years, indicating: the introduction of private universities, the battle against tax evasion, the interventions for accelerating justice, the spatial planning of the reinforcement of the new Businesses by 25%. “All this” – he stressed – “emphasize the political will to promote the necessary reforms in order to achieve convergence with the average of the European Union.”
Mr. Hatzidakis described artificial intelligence as an important opportunity for Greece because of the high quality scientific potential. He said that the emphasis would be placed in 4 sectors: improving productivity, ensuring that everyone will have the skills needed to make the most of artificial intelligence, the formation of the appropriate regulatory environment that promotes innovation while protecting human rights and freedoms to use it.
Finally, referring to Greece’s place in the world, Mr. Hatzidakis pointed out two advantages of our country, which are the participation in NATO and the European Union, on the one hand, the fact that it is at the crossroads between Southeast Europe, the East and Africa on the other.
“We know,” concluded Mr. Hatzidakis, “that in order to have a positive future we have to combine two parameters. Strong economy and strong defense. These are two areas in which the government is investing too much. After the dramatic experience of the past decade, we know that the secret is the private sector. How one can give all the necessary opportunities to the private sector to grow. If you have a strong private sector, you have a strong economy and a strong country, “he concluded.