Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis has left open the possibility of additional economic relief measures if state revenues increase through growth and tax collection.
Speaking in an interview on the ERTnews television show Sto Kentro, Marinakis outlined the fiscal rationale behind the economic policies announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Thessaloniki International Fair, stressing that the government could only distribute funds that were available.
Economic growth and tax policy
Marinakis stated that permanent financial benefits depend on boosting state revenue by tackling tax evasion and expanding the economy rather than introducing new taxes. He explained that two conditions were necessary to provide permanent support: collecting funds by fighting tax evasion more effectively than previous administrations, and growing the national economy so that tax revenues rise even as individual tax rates fall.
According to figures cited by Marinakis, Greece has created approximately 600,000 jobs under the current administration, while capital investments have grown from 10 percent to 17.5 percent of gross domestic product. He added that exports have doubled from 20 percent to 40 percent of GDP, allowing tax revenues to increase despite tax cuts. With planned tax adjustments set for 2027, he noted that the government will have reduced or eliminated 91 separate taxes.
The Thessaloniki International Fair is an annual trade exhibition where Greek leaders traditionally present their fiscal agenda for the coming year. New Democracy, the center-right party led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, took office in 2019 and won a second term in June 2023.
Cost of living and taxation
Addressing inflation, Marinakis acknowledged that high prices remain a persistent challenge for households, placing particular strain on housing costs, supermarket goods, and commercial energy bills. However, he maintained that the government cannot resolve the issue with money that does not exist.
On the topic of value-added tax reductions, Marinakis stated that each single percentage point cut in VAT costs the state approximately 1 billion euros. Given limited fiscal resources, he explained that the administration prioritises direct tax cuts, arguing they deliver greater assistance to middle class and lower income households. He noted that the government has already implemented 25 VAT rate cuts across specific product categories and delivered the largest income tax reduction in recent years, lowering the top rate from 29 percent in 2019 down to 22 percent and currently to 20 percent.
Pushing back against comparisons with former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Marinakis asserted that the current administration provides permanent annual payments of 400 euros to retirees while cutting taxes. He contrasted this with the previous Syriza government, which he accused of introducing or raising 23 taxes, noting that the current government has lowered or abolished tax rates 91 times.
Welfare reforms and coalition prospects
Regarding welfare allowances, Marinakis said the administration does not reject social benefits altogether but seeks to make support permanent, citing maternity allowances and disability benefits as examples. He expressed a personal view that Greece's unemployment benefit system should be re-examined from scratch and limited to a maximum of two months.
Turning to domestic politics, Marinakis described securing a single-party majority as the only feasible goal that ensures realistic governance for New Democracy. While recognizing that the party currently remains short of that target, he said that if New Democracy wins the most votes in an election, it must exhaust all possibilities to form a government.
Marinakis identified the opposition party PASOK as the only political movement with which New Democracy could open coalition discussions. However, he criticized PASOK for ruling out any future cooperation between the two parties.
PASOK, formally known as the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, is Greece's traditional center-left political party and currently serves as one of the main parliamentary opposition groups alongside Syriza.
Party relations, foreign policy, and migration
Marinakis also addressed criticism regarding government arrogance at the Thessaloniki International Fair, agreeing that politicians must remain mindful of their tone and conduct while calling out improper personal behavior.
He took a sharp stance against former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, ruling out any prospective political partnership if Samaras were to establish a new party. Nonetheless, Marinakis acknowledged Samaras's contribution to New Democracy's campaign victory in the 2023 general election.
On foreign affairs and national defense, Marinakis pointed to key diplomatic achievements, including Exclusive Economic Zone agreements signed with Italy and Egypt, as well as the expansion of Greek territorial waters in the Ionian Sea.
Regarding migration management, he reported a significant drop in island facility populations, stating that residents in Northern Aegean camps had fallen from 51,000 in 2019 to 3,000 today, alongside an 80 percent reduction in overall migrant flows.
On digital regulation, Marinakis advocated for immediate authority access to identify social media users, arguing that stricter rules are necessary to curb online abuse.
Closing his remarks, Marinakis addressed young voters, claiming the new generation is bearing the financial burden of decisions made by past governments. He announced his intention to remain in active politics and confirmed he will run as a candidate in the North Athens electoral district.
