The government is picking up the thread of crucial legislative work again as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is reportedly determined to intensify targeted efforts to improve everyday life, reduce inequalities and strengthen the economic climate. After almost two weeks of recess for the European elections, the Parliament resumes its work, which looks set to continue at an intensive pace until the first ten days of August.

Today in the plenary session, the sub-concession contract of the port of Kavala will be ratified, while the draft law on uninsured vehicles and traffic taxes will be processed and voted on. Apart from these, the blue folder of the Minister of State, responsible for the legislative work of the Government Makis Voridis includes the road map with 12 important bills which are expected to be passed by the end of summer. Regardless of the ministers who will be asked to propose the promoted provisions, since a reshuffle is imminent, the Maximou has ready the legislative texts for the further strengthening of primary production, the motivation of civil servants, the reform of the road traffic code, etc.

Productivity bonus

The Interior Ministry’s draft law (presented in detail by “THEMA” on 23/3/2024) expands the system of incentives and rewards for civil servants in order to boost productivity and accelerate the implementation of reforms. The bonus system will apply to all state agencies subject to target-setting – evaluation, and employees who meet targets will be eligible for cash rewards of up to 15% of their annual base salary.

Apart from this, the provisions of the Ministry of Finance for the reform of the Public Investment Programme and the harmonisation of all financial instruments – national and European – available to the country are considered crucial. At the same time, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is expected to present the new Road Traffic Code, which will bring sweeping changes to the road network. In the central philosophy of the promoted provisions is the tightening of specific offences such as driving under the influence of alcohol, red light violation, emergency lane, etc. and punishing the offending driver by removing the licence instead of removing the car’s number plates.

High on the government’s agenda is the bill of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum that will introduce a new type of labour market access permits to attract talent and upgrade Greece to an international academic, research and investment centre.

In this context, the Talent Visa and the Tech Visa will be introduced to provide access to part-time employment to foreign students and the possibility to look for a job one year after graduation. At the same time, the duration of the renewal of residence permits is expected to be increased to 5 years and that of long-term residence to 7 years. See here for a detailed description of the talent visa

The list of bills includes:

• Amendment of Decree Law 18/1989 “Codification of the provisions of laws on the Council of State” (A8) – Transfer of disputes to the Ordinary Administrative Courts – Arrangements for pilot or preliminary question proceedings before the Council of State – Other provisions on administrative proceedings”. Ministry of Justice
• “Institutional framework for control procedures, administrative measures and sanctions in the field of agricultural products and foodstuffs with Protected Designations of Origin, Protected Geographical Indications and Guaranteed Traditional Specialities Guaranteed”. Ministry of Rural Development
• ‘Private insurance against natural disasters, State aid and protection, housing assistance’. Ministry of Climate Crisis
• 15% productivity bonus to civil servants. Ministry of Interior
• New Public Investment Development Programme
• Arrangements for the protection of geographical indications of handicraft and industrial products.
• Ministry of Education’s draft bill which will also upgrade church education
• A framework for further simplification of licensing in tourism.
• Two bills of the Ministry of Environment and Energy on River Basin Management Plans and expropriation
• New Road Traffic Code
• Talent Visa and Tech Visa