Greek Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanassis Kontogeorgis announced that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will outline a four-year economic vision during his address at the Thessaloniki International Fair this Saturday.
Speaking during an interview on Star Central Greece television on Monday evening, Kontogeorgis confirmed that national parliamentary elections remain scheduled for the spring of 2027. He stated that the prime minister's address at the annual trade fair will not serve as a typical pre-election platform, but will instead set out economic policy goals for the next four years alongside a performance review of past government actions.
Kontogeorgis emphasized consistency in the government's economic policy, asserting that fiscal measures had not been introduced merely ahead of elections. He pointed to previous steps, including three-year wage increments, financial measures for pensioners, and last year's tax reform, expressing confidence that the government would go further than a single step higher this Saturday.
The Thessaloniki International Fair, held every September in Greece's second-largest city, is the country's prominent economic and trade event. It traditionally serves as the venue for the Greek prime minister to deliver an annual keynote speech outlining major economic goals, tax adjustments, and social policy priorities for the coming year. Mitsotakis, leader of the center-right New Democracy party, has served as prime minister since 2019 and secured a second term in 2023.
Relief measures for taxpayers and families
Kontogeorgis said the national economy possessed the fiscal baseline and growth potential to make significant leaps, provided that international conditions remained favorable. Addressing whether citizens would see improvements in their daily lives after the event, he gave an affirmative response and asked the public to show patience until Saturday.
He added that the prime minister was the only official authorized to present specific relief measures. The upcoming policy package will target self-employed workers, small and medium-sized businesses, pensioners, and families with children.
According to the government, increasing household incomes is the only way to achieve sustainable economic growth. Kontogeorgis acknowledged that while incomes had improved, citizens had not fully felt the benefits due to imported inflation affecting consumer prices.
He noted that the administration planned to continue its dual policy of reducing taxes while expanding overall economic output. He added that the government intended to return available fiscal resources to the public in a fair and proportional manner.
Inflation trends and price controls
Addressing food costs, Kontogeorgis noted early signs of price reductions, particularly in food items, despite starting from high price levels. He acknowledged that several social groups continued to face objective financial difficulties, but maintained that continuous economic policy and the hard work of the Greek public were producing steady improvements.
He explained that the government remains committed to easing burdens on vulnerable groups while ensuring long-term financial stability across all sectors of the economy.
Regional infrastructure and European Union funding
Turning to regional development, Kontogeorgis outlined government plans to accelerate and complete major infrastructure projects across Greece before May 2027. He cited the prime minister's recent inauguration of a new section of the Thessaloniki Metro as an example of ongoing infrastructure delivery.
Kontogeorgis, who has conducted multiple visits to every Greek prefecture, emphasized that government planners understood regional needs and had established clear local priorities. He stated that local authority officials had never been excluded from policy discussions, noting that regional development transcended political party lines.
He stated that the administration faced two key tasks prior to May 2027: completing launched infrastructure projects and submitting Greece's national plan under the new European Union budget. He highlighted the importance of the post-2027 government, noting that negotiations for the new EU Community Budget would conclude in the second half of 2027.
Central Greece road construction updates
Asked about specific local projects, Kontogeorgis provided updates on the Lamia to Karpenisi road axis in Central Greece. He announced that the Ministry of Infrastructure would very soon release procedures for land expropriations and open the bidding process for the road network.
He confirmed that financial resources for the road axis were fully secured, assuring local residents that the administration would fulfill the commitments made by the prime minister during his earlier visit to the region.
