“There is no question of arrogance, just as there is no punitive mood to tarnish the offer of a leader in a region that has been greatly tested by the immigration flows of the last months” emphasized the government representative and deputy minister despite the prime minister Pavlos Marinakis, commenting on her annoyance Doras Bakoyannis for its removal port master of Chania from the Vasilis Kikilia.
During the briefing of the political editors, Mr. Marinakis stated that “as Mr. Kikilias informed, an EDE was held, which is ongoing”. The independent commission he has taken over will decide what happened, he noted. The EDE caused the lady’s discomfort Bakoyannis, who said, among other things, that “power is also exercised with humanity, not arrogantly and we command” but also the answer of Vasilis Kikilia that “we have a rule of law, not a cafe of friends and acquaintances”.
Attack on Zoe Konstantopoulou
At the same time, Mr. Marinakis launched an attack against the president of Plevsis Eleftheria, Zois Konstantopoulou, saying that she is the first among politicians who want to make a career out of a tragedy. “It is the definition of shame and vulgarity and hypocrisy. And it insults the functioning of parliament in the country. In such attitudes we cannot stand even indirectly as helpers”, he said.
At the same time, he left sharp points against the parties, which signed the motion of no confidence together with Mrs. Konstantopoulou.
Mr. Marinakis’ introductory statement in detail
good afternoon,
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in the morning with the European Commissioner for the Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin, at the Maximos Palace.
During the meeting, the European Commission’s proposals for the new Multiannual Financial Framework were discussed. The Prime Minister referred to the importance of strengthening the competitiveness of the entire European economy, while underlining the importance of Cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy.
Furthermore, Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated the need to create a European financial instrument that could finance flagship defense programs of common European interest, such as those included in the EU 2030 Defense Readiness Charter.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said: “It is an opportunity to discuss the most ‘hot’ topic of the coming year, which is none other than the new Multiannual Financial Framework. It will be an opportunity for us to present our positions, which I am sure are quite well known.
I would like to congratulate you on the effort you have put in to promote very interesting ideas and proposals, especially regarding the simplification of the European budget, which, in my opinion, is a completely incomprehensible “black box” for most European citizens. I think it is better to add degrees of transparency in terms of communication. For countries like Greece, we remain fully committed to the pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Policy, which for our country are linked to our status as a member of the European Union. It is also important to ensure that, in some way, all countries benefit from this new Competitiveness Fund.”
Commissioner Serafin stressed: “When it comes to competitiveness, we are fully aware of the fact that we will not close the competitiveness gap with money alone. We should probably focus mainly on simplification and reducing the administrative burden, but money is also necessary. Therefore, here, the emphasis will be on key strategic areas. Then, in terms of defense and security, our proposal is to increase spending in these areas by five times. I fully agree with your view that defense is the ultimate public good and that we should focus on projects that cannot be implemented by a single member state and that is indeed the focus of our proposal.”
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The Hellenic Police campaign is in full swing: “Zero tolerance for not wearing a helmet”, which for the 17th week continues its checks and information actions.
In particular, between October 20 – 26, 17,848 checks were carried out and 1,325 violations were confirmed, 1,170 on drivers and 155 on passengers.
With the enactment of the new Road Traffic Code, the State sends a clear message of zero tolerance towards the non-use of helmets, through the tightening of penalties, as they provide:
• 350 euro fine and withdrawal of driving license for 30 days for the two-wheeler driver,
• 350 euro fine for the two-wheeled passenger and
• 30 euro fine for the driver of Light Personal Electric Vehicles, with these penalties increasing significantly in cases of recurrence.
The purpose of the campaign, of course, is not to impose penalties, but to change the perception of drivers and passengers about the mandatory use of a certified helmet, as a basic life protection measure.
A helmet isn’t just an accessory, it’s a life-saving responsibility.
At the same time, as part of the initiatives taken by the Greek Police, with the aim of the safety of the citizens, targeted controls were carried out in Thessaloniki to protect minors from alcohol consumption.
In particular, during the period 24-28 October, 159 checks were carried out in shops selling alcoholic beverages, coffee bars, convenience stores, etc. and 750 person checks. In addition, 7 people were arrested for distribution of alcoholic products to minors.
Similar operational actions will continue in the field of protecting minors from alcohol consumption.
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The transfer of the role of OPEKEPE as the National Paying Organization to the Independent Public Revenue Authority aims to ensure the credibility of the country in the critical area of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The transition, with a final goal of implementation on January 1, 2026, will take place with the strategic reform, approved by yesterday’s Cabinet and based on five main pillars:
• Pillar 1: Transfer of the Accreditation of the National Payment Organization from OPEKEPE to AADE and, at the same time, of all the responsibilities of the payment organization as provided by the Union legislation.
• Pillar 2: Application of the model of quasi-universal succession in rights and obligations between the two entities (from OPEKEPE to AADE).
• Pillar 3: Organizational integration and adaptation of all payment and control infrastructures in order to fully take over the management of the two European funds: the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
• Pillar 4: Respect for staff: mapping and evaluation of OPEKEPE’s procedures and staff by an independent external body, under the supervision of AADE and their integration/absorption into AADE.
• Pillar 5: Full assumption of the role of the Payment Organization by AADE, with guaranteed business continuity and stability.
AADE, with its proven experience in the application of verified control methods, the use of modern digital infrastructures and the establishment of mechanisms of transparency and accountability, is able to undertake and serve with reliability and stability the role of the national Payments Agency with the aim of restoring the credibility of the country, the continuation of payments and controls, ensuring the sound financial management of EU funds, preventing imposition additional fiscal corrections and ensuring transparency, integrity and accountability.
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The Presidential Decree was signed that defines the procedure for approving a Special Plan for Environmentally Equivalent Upgrading of Cities, to offset the use of incentives of the New Building Regulation and other details for the implementation of building permits.
Also, the Joint Ministerial Decisions were signed to define: a) the procedure for refunding taxes, levies, contributions and building permit reservations using NOK incentives, which are reviewed without delay and in priority over other applications and b) the specifications of the Special Environmental Equivalent Urban Upgrade Plans.
The CoE, examining the draft Presidential Decree for the approval of a Special Plan for Environmentally Equivalent Upgrading of Cities, gave approval for its promotion, accepting almost all of the arrangements proposed in June by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
This opinion paves the way for thousands of building permits and restores confidence in the market.
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The draft law on the establishment and operation of an Independent Authority for the Supervision of the Market and Consumer Protection was submitted to a public electronic consultation.
It brings together in a single framework all the control and supervisory functions that until now were fragmented. The aim is to have a single response mechanism, a single point of contact for consumers. A mechanism that is faster and more efficient, with 300 new inspectors and modern digital means to collect and check citizens’ data and complaints.
The mission of this Independent Authority is to:
a) in enhancing the transparency of the market,
b) in dealing with illegal trade,
c) the effective protection of consumer rights,
d) in the defense of their financial interests and
e) in the formation of a healthy consumer conscience.
According to the bill, the Authority’s administrative bodies will be: the Administrative Council, the Governor and three Deputy Governors. The Authority will have legal personality, will enjoy functional independence, administrative and financial autonomy and will not be subject to control or supervision by government bodies, state agencies or other administrative authorities. The Authority will, however, be subject to parliamentary control, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament and the procedure of article 33, regarding the relations of the Authority with the Parliament, the judicial, prosecutorial and administrative authorities.
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The Minister of Education and Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zaharakis, approved the granting of:
• An amount of 1,200,000 euros for the maintenance and renovation of the Student Residence Building 3 on the Kavala Campus.
• An amount of 850,000 euros for the maintenance, renovation and overall modernization of the building that houses the Student Restaurant on the Xanthi Campus. Already in the Student Residence of Xanthi, 4 out of a total of 8 buildings have been renovated, energy upgraded and fully equipped with the necessary furniture and electrical appliances. The specific projects are financed by the former Public Investments program and the current Development Program (DP) with an amount of more than 6 million euros.
The approval of these funds is part of the modernization of the infrastructure of the Democritus University of Thrace and will be financed by the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports with an additional 2,050,000 million euros.
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The “Upgrading of the Evros Gardens Road Border Station” is in the implementation phase, as the contractor company has been installed at the construction site and the first work on shaping and preparing the site has begun.
This is an initiative of national importance, as it concerns the most important road border station of the country, which connects Greece with Turkey.
The project, with a total budget of 13 million euros, will offer a modern, functional and safe transit hub, which will enhance the safety, speed and service of citizens and businesses, contributing to the development, extroversion and interconnectivity of Thrace and the entire country.
It is implemented by the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia – Thrace, with the Funding Agency the Ministry of the Interior and the Maturation Agency the Hellenic Holdings and Property Company.