The discussion on the 2025 budget began in Parliament with the speeches of the general and special rapporteurs of the parliamentary parties, a process that will culminate on Sunday with the speeches of the political leaders and the roll-call vote.

The five-day discussion began shortly after 11 a.m. in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

During the day, the speech of the Minister of Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, is also expected.

The focus is expected to be on the measures that the Prime Minister will announce for the banks, the ongoing conflict between PASOK and SYRIZA over who leads the opposition, the final result of the roll-call vote, and how the parties will vote on defense spending.

As reported by *Proto Thema* on Sunday, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his main speech on Sunday evening—which will mark the conclusion of the budget discussion process—is expected to announce new interventions for the banks. These measures will aim to further reduce the fees that burden citizens with each transaction.

The measures will include a 50% reduction in high fees, while the second package of interventions will increase pressure on financial institutions to release into the market the stock of about 20,000 properties that remain unused, exacerbating the housing crisis.

Immediately after the Prime Minister’s speech, a roll-call vote will follow, which, by tradition, will function as a vote of confidence in the government.

The bill titled “Ratification of the State Budget for the fiscal year 2025” has already been accepted by the relevant parliamentary committee by a majority vote. The New Democracy party voted “in favor,” PASOK-KINAL voted “against” except for defense spending, and SYRIZA-PS, KKE, the Greek Solution – Kyriakos Velopoulos, the New Left, and Plefsi Eleftherias – Zoë Konstantopoulou all voted “against.” The Democratic Movement “Niki” and the Spartans party expressed “reservation.”

Given these conditions, the 155 New Democracy MPs are expected to vote in favor of the budget, with independent MP Lefteris Avgenakis, from the majority, likely to cast a positive vote.

Defense Spending

In addition, the stance of the opposition is expected to be of particular interest regarding the defense budget, especially during a period of intense geopolitical instability and a society shifting further right.

Last year, in the 2024 budget, defense spending was approved by a wide majority of 249 MPs. The KKE, which traditionally votes against, as well as Niki, Plefsi Eleftherias, and New Left, voted against it.

In the current political climate, Alexis Charitsis called on the other “progressive” parties to vote against defense spending, thereby outlining the limits for dialogue with SYRIZA and the chances of a possible return of New Left members to the Koumoundourou headquarters.