During his introductory remarks at the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the government’s decision to end lenient criminal treatment for those who return stolen goods. He also spoke extensively about youth delinquency and how it will be addressed.

“Lenient criminal treatment for those returning stolen goods will end; it will only be considered a mitigating factor,” said the Prime Minister.

Referring to youth and the rise in juvenile delinquency, Mitsotakis said, “I believe that with the interventions in the Penal Code, we have shown good reflexes, and the targeted changes will lead to stricter criminal treatment for youth gun possession and the pre-trial detention of those who repeatedly commit the same offense.”

“The state cannot replace the family as the primary unit for raising children, but we have the ability to impose stricter penalties for child neglect. In the future, we will focus a lot on issues with social media platforms and how bullying takes on a digital dimension. We are facing a global crisis, and I believe it is inevitable that regulatory intervention will be necessary to address this problem at its root. Until then, we have an obligation to protect our children,” said Mitsotakis.

Finally, the Prime Minister mentioned a major new initiative, saying that “the idea of a new Safe Youth app will allow a child to notify the police, outside of school, if they feel in danger. We will be ready to present this new initiative soon.”

On the Middle East

“There must be de-escalation in the Middle East. Greece is in communication with all parties and is a stabilizing factor in the region. We will always fight for peace in the region, as it is a prerequisite for stability. We call on all parties to de-escalate to avoid the worst-case scenario of a large-scale war. We have drafted an evacuation plan for Greeks in Lebanon,” said the Prime Minister at the beginning of his remarks.

On the economy and the mid-term

The Prime Minister then turned to economic matters, stating, “The mid-term shows a very encouraging path for public finances, which I highlighted in my meetings with investors in New York. It includes debt reduction, creating fiscal space for citizen-focused spending.”

“Greece is not among those countries under an excessive deficit regime, and this is the greatest proof that we and our citizens have left behind the days of fiscal derailment,” Mitsotakis said.

On tolls on Attiki Odos

“Tolls on the Attiki Odos will be reduced to 2.5 euros. Vehicles belonging to people with disabilities will also be exempt. The new concessionaire will fully manage and maintain the road, even in emergency situations. Additionally, due to the renegotiation of funding for the Aegean motorway, tolls on the Maliakos-Klidi section of the Athens-Thessaloniki highway will be reduced by 3 euros, a reduction that will last until the end of 2025,” Mitsotakis said.

On recruitment

The Prime Minister discussed the hiring plan for 2025, saying, “Nearly 20,000 new hires will be made in 2025, with significant reinforcement of the National Health System, police, fire service, and armed forces.”

On the regulation of bad agricultural loans

Regarding this regulation, he said, “It affects more than 20,000 producers and 750 cooperatives, and we believe it will provide relief from a problem that unfortunately dates back to the crisis era.”

On the New Democracy anniversary

“On Friday, we will all go to Rigillis to honor the 50th anniversary of New Democracy, making the strength of the past a result in the present and hope for the future. With the congress we held, we have already answered why New Democracy has endured and remains strong despite the opposition’s challenges,” Mitsotakis concluded.

The Prime Minister’s full remarks.