The return of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the Maximou , after the short vacation of the government team, signals the start of intense meetings in preparation for the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), which is traditionally the political milestone of the year. The Prime Minister does not intend to arrive in Thessaloniki bearing gifts, given the specific fiscal constraints, but will instead focus on a series of reforms and interventions that directly affect citizens’ daily lives.

This week, several meetings are scheduled at the Maximou from Tuesday to Thursday, both internal and with the economic team, to finalize the fiscal framework of the measures to be announced, based on the budget’s performance.

Additionally, the Prime Minister is expected to make his customary visit to Thessaloniki next Tuesday, August 27th, to meet with productive sectors, as he does every year before attending the TIF. During this visit, the National Strategy for Regional Development and the digital platform for Regional Development Plans will be presented at the city’s Concert Hall.

According to information from protothema.gr, a central part of the Prime Minister’s speech will focus on interventions for family support and the housing crisis. Numerous meetings and preparations have been held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family to finalize the measures.

On the table are significant incentives for families, with an emphasis on children, such as effectively equating three-child families with large families, tax relief for the second and third child, and substantial increases in child benefits, as many eligible recipients have been excluded due to rising incomes. Special attention will also be given to supporting families with one or two children.

Moreover, the government is considering significant reforms to welfare benefits. With the unemployment rate substantially reduced to below 10%, the aim is to ensure that unemployment benefits target those who are genuinely unemployed and do not serve as a disincentive for seasonal workers who opt for benefits during the winter months.

Lastly, the Prime Minister is expected to emphasize public infrastructure, particularly health infrastructure, providing a clear timeline for inaugurating renovated health units, supported by Recovery Fund resources.

Answers Regarding the Wildfires

The past few days have been another summer test for the government team due to the wildfires in Northeastern Attica. Kyriakos Mitsotakis returned urgently from Chania, where he was vacationing, to oversee the Civil Protection efforts.

He subsequently defended the Fire Department, stating that the current Civil Protection model should not be dismantled. However, the government acknowledges that there were shortcomings, which should serve as lessons rather than reasons to dismantle what has been painstakingly built, especially in terms of prevention.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the Prime Minister will visit Penteli with a team of relevant ministers, where a meeting will be held with the participation of the Attica Region and local mayors to discuss the findings from inspections and the state’s planned recovery actions in the fire-affected areas.

The ministers attending include the Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skylakakis, the Minister of Interior Theodoros Livanios, the Minister of Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias, the Deputy Minister for State Aid Christos Triantopoulos, and the Minister of Finance Kostis Hatzidakis. The Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias, representatives of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), and the mayors of Penteli, Chalandri, Pallini, Vrilissia, Oropos, Dionysos, Marathon, and Rafina-Pikermi will also participate.

From Maximos Mansion, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, and Minister of State Akis Skertsos will attend. The meeting will include a presentation of the burned areas, cleaned and uncleared plots, findings from inspections of burned buildings, as well as state aid measures and environmental restoration actions. There will also be discussions with the region, mayors, and volunteer organizations on further protecting forest-adjacent areas.

It is clear that PM Mitsotakis is determined to provide answers regarding the wildfire management and will not allow the Civil Protection mechanism to become a target for opposition attacks.

This will likely occur in the first days of September, probably before the TIF, during the scheduled parliamentary debate requested by PASOK.