Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the ratification of the new contract for Attiki Odos, which marked another privatization since the 2023 elections to date, with total revenues for the public sector at 7.1 billion euros, in a post on his Facebook account.
Criticism of the Greek government in his Facebook account on his Facebook page.
The prime minister also referred to the way in which citizens are benefiting, as toll prices have been reduced, while commenting on the big picture of privatizations, he said that “every thoughtful move” in this sector creates “multiplier benefits to the economy and society.”
In detail, the prime minister said in his post:
“Last week we ratified by the Parliament the new contract for Attiki Odos, completing an “11th” privatization from the 2023 elections, with total revenues for the public sector reaching 7.1 billion euros.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight that ultimately targeted privatizations work not only for the benefit of public finances, but also make life better for all citizens!
And that’s because they mean lower fees: Drivers who use Attiki Odos already understand the difference. From Sunday, they pay a toll of 2.5 euros from 2.8 euros, while cars carrying our citizens with disabilities, as well as vans for the disabled, are exempt from any payment.
They mean lower debt and higher tax revenues: With the new contract, the government received a record 3.27 billion, which automatically reduces government debt by 1.5 percentage points of GDP, and will receive a portion of the concessionaire’s revenue each year.
But if we go to the big picture, and there too we will find that every well thought out move in the field of privatisation creates multiplier benefits to the economy and society.
It means better services for all: Investor participation in ports and regional airports radically improves infrastructure, upgrades our tourism services, and opens up new horizons for each region, benefiting employment and local communities.
It means the country’s credibility abroad: Our reform initiatives in the banking sector bring in new capital and investors, certify the upgrading of our economy and are implemented for the benefit of Greek taxpayers, who have paid dearly in the recent past for adventurism and experiments.
All in all, the privatization program we are implementing promotes reform with a positive footprint for the country. It brings better services for citizens, more investment, reliable infrastructure especially in the periphery, and less burden for future generations through a significant reduction in public debt.”
