Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis returned on Sunday to his customary weekly review after a two-week pause, running through recent developments on wildfires, the economy, energy, agriculture and new government measures.
Mitsotakis began with the wildfires, noting that more than 500 forest fires had broken out since the start of August, and around 2,700 in total since the fire season began. He said strong, sustained winds had significantly hampered firefighting efforts, and that in some areas, including Boeotia and Western Attica, there were periods when even aerial firefighting units could not operate.
He stressed that, despite the difficult conditions, the burned area in Greece was smaller than in previous years and compared with other Mediterranean countries. He also referred to evacuation operations, noting that at least 1,000 people had been removed by boat from areas near active fire fronts.
Mitsotakis dwelt on the loss of life, offering his condolences to the families of the victims and saying that on-site assessments in the affected areas were continuing so that compensation and state aid could proceed.
Debt repayment and the economy
On the economy, the prime minister announced that Greece would carry out a further early repayment of public debt worth 13 billion euros within 2026. He said that, together with the 36 billion euros already repaid early since 2019, this marked a significant reduction in Greece's debt. He also pointed to a recent upgrade of the outlook for the Greek economy by the Japanese rating agency R&I.
Financial literacy program for students
Mitsotakis singled out the launch of FinStart, a new Education Ministry initiative aimed at around 40,000 primary and secondary school students. The program is intended to give pupils basic financial literacy skills and to inform them about the risks of the digital economy and online fraud.
Energy and the Greece-Cyprus link
He also referred to the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection, following an agreement for the French firm Meridiam to become the majority shareholder in the Great Sea Interconnector, the project intended to link the two countries' electricity grids. He noted that the cable manufacturer Nexans, a French company, had taken on the construction and laying of the cable.
Mitsotakis referred to new Spatial Planning Frameworks for Tourism and for Renewable Energy Sources, which have now taken effect. He also commented on Turkey's reactions to these frameworks, repeating that Greece acts on the basis of international law and is exercising its rights.
Agriculture and consumer protections
On the agricultural sector, he referred to water management projects in Lasithi, Crete, and to the new myAGRO digital platform, through which applications for 2026 farm subsidies will be submitted. He said the goal was for support payments to reach the genuine beneficiaries promptly and correctly.
The prime minister also referred to a new regulation targeting so-called "energy tourists," consumers who switch electricity providers while leaving unpaid bills behind, as well as to a law enshrining a "Right to Be Forgotten" for people with a history of cancer.
Tributes and closing remarks
Toward the end of his post, Mitsotakis made special mention of the deaths of Konstantinos Tsoukalas, Stelios Ramfos and Stefanos Manos, and congratulated Greek athletes for their achievements during August.
He said this had been his first post-summer review, closing his post by wishing everyone a good Sunday.
