H social cohesion is prerequisite for economic and political stabilityhighlights Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakosto interview of his Sunday Afternoon.
“Everything we do – from market supervision and controls, money recovery from earlier investment plans that have not been implemented, to prices interventions – serve a broader goal: to enhance social cohesion. And to have social cohesion, rules, transparency and accountability are needed. This is the core of the policy we apply to the Ministry of Development, “he notes.
Referring to the productive transformation of the economy, he points out the need to become “more productive, more competitive, more extroverted and more innovative, with strong industry, manufacturing and primary sector” and adds: “In this new productive model, the development of our growth is the most powerful tool, Investments, processing and innovation. “
Mr. Theodorikakos makes special reference to the new, powerful independent consumer protection authority and market supervision, which – as he points out – will operate independently, with AADE standards, with 300 new auditors and modern digital tools.
Following is the entire interview of the Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakou, in the “Sunday afternoon”
– What message do you seek to get through the strengthening of supermarket controls?
Everything we do – from market supervision and controls, money recovery from earlier investment projects that have not been implemented, to prices interventions – serve a broader goal: enhancing social cohesion, which is a prerequisite for political and economic stability. And to have social cohesion, rules, transparency and accountability are needed. This is the core of the policy we apply to the Ministry of Development.
– The chains respond that the fines are excessive and unfair and say they will appeal to justice.
I want to clarify something: the fines are imposed on the basis of the framework set by law. They are not arbitrarily decided or calculated on the total turnover of a business. They are determined on the basis of the type of infringement, provided that it is found by the competent audit authorities. And of course the Minister has no jurisdiction of intervention.
The question, therefore, is not the impression of the height of the fine, but the consistency in the application of the rules. And in this we are absolutely clear and perfectly consistent: no one is above the law. The law is law and applies to all. The market needs transparency, healthy competition and rules that are kept.
No matter how big a business is or how many billions it makes in turnover. In the last one and a half years, fines of more than 22m euros have been imposed, of which € 5.5 million in multinational chains. Checks are continuous and rigorous throughout the country, with the aim of protecting consumers and market transparency.
– Will prices fall? Will the fines continue to reduce prices to 1,000 codes after the fines?
There are another checks and another is the initiatives for prices to support the income of the Greek household. As you know, we have expressed the social demand from supermarket chains and the food industry to reduce their average profit and proceed immediately with price reductions in 1,000 essentials. They pledged to do so, realizing their social responsibility.
I recall that with our interventions, in recent months we have managed to have negative inflation in food for five consecutive months – the lowest in the eurozone. This shows that when there is a plan and determination, we can have tangible results for the benefit of the citizens.
The attempt to decline in prices is continuing – and is a matter for all: state, producers, retail chains, and society itself.
– Is your plan to do with the productive transformation of the economy?
In order to really support the income of the Greek household and to deal effectively with the cost of living, it is a national need to produce the Greek economy. To become more productive, more competitive, more extroverted and more innovative, with strong industry and manufacturing and strong primary sector. Otherwise, we will remain exposed to extrinsic crises that we cannot control.
In this new productive standard we are implementing, the new development law is our most powerful tool. We mobilize resources of over € 4 billion, with priority in the less developed areas, border zones, innovation, processing and large investment.
– Why do you set up an independent consumer? What different does it bring?
The new Independent Consumer Protection Authority and Market Supervision is a deep institutional reform, which responds to a chronic pathogenicity: the citizen does not know many times where to go to find his right. The market is supervised by many different bodies and often without coordination. This is changing.
We proceed with the creation of a single, permanent, powerful mechanism that will be fully responsible for the market controls. The new authority will operate on the standards of AADE – independent of the respective government – with a commander selected for a five -year term and with a clear institutional mission. With 300 new auditors, with modern digital tools and institutionally guaranteed responsibilities, it will act as a real protection shield for consumers and healthy entrepreneurship.
The bill will be passed within the next 50 days, and the Authority will be ready to operate in the first half of 2026.