The 2025 state budget was approved tonight, receiving 158 “yes” votes, while 139 MPs voted “no.” Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was notably absent from the vote.

The parliamentary session began at 11 AM with closing remarks from party representatives. At 1 PM, the political leaders’ speeches commenced in reverse order of party strength, culminating approximately seven hours later with the Prime Minister’s concluding address.

Opposition Reactions to the Budget

PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis described the budget as one of “lost opportunities,” accusing the government of perpetuating stagnation and social injustices. SYRIZA’s Socrates Famellos criticized the budget as serving “cartels” and promoting inequality. Communist Party (KKE) leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas labeled it “anti-people,” while Kyriakos Velopoulos of the Hellenic Solution claimed it was reliant on “profiteering revenues.”

From the New Left, Alexis Charitsis rejected the government’s economic model, arguing it favors a shrinking workforce and benefits a select few. Freedom Sailing leader Zoe Konstantopoulou vowed to fight for this to be the government’s “last budget.” The NIKI party opposed the overall budget but supported defense spending, as emphasized by leader Dimitris Natsios. Spartans’ Vasilis Stigas argued that the budget was built on optimism rather than concrete data and projections.

PASOK Critiques: A Budget of “Half-Truths and Missed Opportunities”

Androulakis characterized the budget as one of “missed opportunities, half-truths, and no perspective for the majority of the Greek people.” He accused the government of relying on inflation and recovery fund benefits as a safety net for its failures.

“You talk endlessly about the stability advantage, but the stability you invoke is stagnation filled with social injustices,” he said. Androulakis also highlighted issues with banking practices, accusing the government of normalizing exploitative fees and failing to enforce accountability.

The PASOK leader proposed reducing VAT and criticized the government for its inability to ensure that reduced VAT rates translate to lower prices for essential goods. Citing Spain as an example, where 70% of VAT reductions were passed on to consumers, he questioned why Greece couldn’t achieve similar results.

Androulakis also denounced the government’s policies in healthcare and education, arguing that Greece has some of the highest private healthcare costs in Europe while public services like the NHS (ESY) are being undermined. “You are celebrating while the public pays the price,” he concluded.

Energy, Demographics, and National Strategy Dominate Budget Debate

Androulakis: Energy Dependence and Social Injustice

Nikos Androulakis, leader of PASOK, delivered a scathing critique of the government’s energy policies, accusing it of jeopardizing Greece’s energy future. He argued that the heavy reliance on natural gas left the country vulnerable to geopolitical crises while excluding Greece from affordable energy sources.

“You sabotaged the independent operation of the energy market, turning it into an oligopoly with your manipulations,” he stated, promising that PASOK would establish transparent rules for market operation. He also accused the government of transforming the green transition into a business opportunity for the elite.

Androulakis criticized the government’s handling of the Public Power Corporation (ΔΕΗ), calling its touted success story a vehicle for vested interests, with long-term negative consequences.

On the demographic crisis, he urged all parties to collaborate on a strategic plan to address critical issues.

He further targeted the Prime Minister, claiming inconsistency in foreign policy. “In matters of national interest, we heard four different voices within New Democracy. One was expelled, leaving three,” he remarked, pointing to diverging stances on the potential resolution of disputes in the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Famellos: Rising Inequality and Mismanagement

SYRIZA’s Socrates Famellos lambasted the government for favoring oligopolies, citing “money trees blossoming in the courtyards of cartels.” He emphasized that many citizens—workers, professionals, small businesses, farmers, retirees, and youth—are facing increased challenges and deepening inequalities.

Famellos criticized the government’s focus on achieving a 2.7% primary surplus, arguing it extracts nearly €2 billion from the economy while returning only €150 million to vulnerable citizens. “These are crumbs compared to the €1.6 billion in excess profits from bank commissions,” he said.

He renewed calls for state oversight of banking interest rates and accused the government of failing to control pricing policies, even in institutions where the state is the majority shareholder. Famellos also highlighted operational issues with the newly inaugurated Thessaloniki Metro, pointing to recent incidents that stranded commuters in tunnels and raised questions of accountability.

Opposition Rallying Against Stagnation and Inequity

Both leaders urged citizens not to accept the status quo. Androulakis stated, “Don’t settle for stagnation and social injustice; there is another way forward,” while Famellos called for breaking up cartels in energy and banking to revive competition.

The debates underscored a deep political divide, with the government defending its policies as stabilizing and the opposition portraying them as stagnant, inequitable, and favoring the elite.

Criticism of PASOK and Constitutional Revision Mr. Famellos also directed his criticism at PASOK regarding the upcoming constitutional revision and its stance on Article 16, which concerns higher education.

On Foreign Policy and Greece-Turkey Dialogue He criticized the Prime Minister’s statement that there is no prospect of an agreement or referral to The Hague. “I ask you, do you not understand how detrimental your policy is to national interests? By publicly setting the bar high and then torpedoing talks again in public, you create serious issues. While institutionally, Greece and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were presenting a different picture, what will the next day look like without the prospect of The Hague? Why did you ultimately abolish exploratory talks, which provided a framework for continuity and served as a confidence-building measure with Turkey?” he asked.

He emphasized, “We insist clearly on keeping alive the prospect of delineating the continental shelf/EEZ at The Hague.”

Defense Expenditure Regarding defense spending, he stated, “SYRIZA’s positive vote supports national security and defense but not all the government’s choices in this area.”

Koutsoumbas: Rejection of the Anti-People Budget The Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece, Dimitris Koutsoumbas, launched an all-out attack on the government’s policy, declaring his party’s rejection of the 2025 state budget.

“The 3 billion euros you estimate as revenue come from the people’s pockets. The fight against tax evasion targets small and medium-sized freelancers, leaving room for the big fish. Dividends, interest, etc., account for only 6.8% of total tax revenue. Shipowners enjoy exemptions and tax-free fuel,” Mr. Koutsoumbas noted, while also criticizing the Prime Minister’s upcoming announcements on banking reforms.

He also commented on the atmosphere surrounding the new U.S. ambassador. “They say in government circles that she communicates directly with Trump via WhatsApp. Control yourselves; you might slip on the drool,” he quipped.

Mr. Koutsoumbas criticized both PASOK and SYRIZA, stating, “The people have nothing to expect from either the ‘tango opposition’ or the opposition seeking vindication for its governmental choices in Merkel’s memoirs.”

Velopoulos: Profiteering as a Source of Revenue “You’re always indebted if you don’t produce. And I ask: What do we produce? You’ve presented a budget that generates no wealth but relies on profiteering as a source of revenue,” began Kyriakos Velopoulos, leader of the Greek Solution.

“This budget predicts increased tax revenue for next year, primarily from indirect taxation and VAT collected through profiteering. In other words, you’re robbing the people,” he added, criticizing not only ND but also PASOK and SYRIZA for supporting pro-banking measures.

He also proposed reinstating Christmas, Easter, and holiday bonuses at a cost of 2.1 billion euros, arguing that these funds could be sourced from combating fuel smuggling and downsizing independent authorities.

Haritsis: Taxes Can Reduce Inequality Alexis Haritsis criticized the government’s economic policy during his speech on the 2025 state budget.

“You’re promoting growth that shrinks wages and empowers a select few. This model exacerbates monopolies and impoverishes the majority. The stagnation of wages is not incidental; it’s a structural choice of the Mitsotakis government,” said the leader of the New Left.

He proposed increased taxation on the wealthy, emphasizing that “taxes are neither inherently good nor bad; they’re mechanisms for redistributing wealth and reducing inequality. For the many to live better, some must pay more.”

Konstantopoulou: “You are the problem” Zoe Konstantopoulou attacked the government, declaring her party’s opposition to the budget, including defense expenditures.

“You are the problem. The people need to solve you. I wish and will fight for this to be the last budget of your government,” she said.

She criticized defense spending, claiming that “the country’s defense was guaranteed by barefoot citizens during the 1940 epic and by resistance fighters of the National Liberation Front, not by profiteers or collaborators.”

Konstantopoulou also proposed including reparations claims against Germany for Nazi atrocities in the budget.

Dimitris Natsios: You have created a society of one-third that can, and another of two-thirds that cannot

Niki will vote against the budget and vote in favor of the Ministry of National Defense’s budget, said the president of Niki, Dimitris Natsios, during his speech in the Plenary.

Mr. Natsios began his speech by criticizing the government for its economic policy.

“The easy solution is to list numbers regarding the increase in taxation for the upcoming year and data on the sad first places of your government based on data from OASA, Eurostat, and the IMF.

Your first places in the worst wages, your first places in the unemployment rate among OECD countries, your first places in indirect taxes, your first places in poverty,” said Mr. Natsios and added that he preferred to speak “about the feelings of the economy.”

“Your policy is characterized by two emotions,” he said. “The alienation from the people, the cold indifference to their problems, and the willing servitude to the banks.”

“With the few, you eat together, agree every night away from the public eye. When you have created a society of one-third that can and a second society of two-thirds that cannot, do you dare to mock the Greeks?” he questioned, and added:

“The Greek state today for the Greek citizen is a huge trap. Every time they try to lift their head, you give them a blow, take their house, cut their loan, cancel their benefit, and throw them down again. Greece eats whatever children remain and did not emigrate.”

“You pretend to reduce supermarket prices for a few products, you pretend to care for the vulnerable with Christmas baskets that don’t even have kourabiedes and melomakarona, but in reality, you cover them up.”

“You pretend to reduce commissions to banks, although you allowed them to plunder the Greeks’ savings for the last five years. Where would you dare to tax them? You tremble lest they auction your debts to them, despite the fact that you pardoned their executives who lent you money.”

Concluding, the president of Niki referred to defense spending and called for more emphasis on strengthening the domestic defense industry, which he said “either has been sold off or is underperforming.”

“The current situation is far from optimistic,” continued Mr. Natsios. “The Ministry of National Defense does not choose to purchase domestic defense material. As reliable scientists say, considering the country’s geographical configuration, we should invest above all in the fundamental weapon system, military science, and domestic military thought. For example, it has been proven in the field that very cheap homemade kamikaze drones can do the same job as very expensive ammunition made by large foreign companies. The ND has been in power since 2019. During this period, has anything been done for the development of the domestic defense industry and our independence from foreign markets? At the same time, our neighboring countries have made full use of domestic means, financially and politically strengthening their defense industries,” said the president of Niki and added:

“The continuous purchase of weapons systems from abroad increases the country’s dependency, which creates strategic risks in times of crisis. Special care must also be taken in the overall reorganization of the armed forces, based on modern threats.”

Mr. Natsios also emphasized the need to address the issues facing the Armed Forces personnel and concluded:

“The Armed Forces exist to protect the priceless asset of the country’s freedom, and harmony must be achieved in the distribution of resources between equipment and military personnel’s compensation. Despite significant weaknesses, delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and fiscal pressures, Niki will vote in favor of the Ministry of National Defense’s budget, solely considering the national interest and enhancing the deterrent power of our country.”

What the leader of the Spartans, Vassilis Stigas, said in his speech: The president of the Spartans, Vassilis Stigas, argued that the budget “is not based on numerical data and algorithmic forecasts but on optimism that ‘everything will go well.'”

“That the budget will be approved is certain. It is also certain that, as the opposition, we have the duty to highlight everything we deem wrong. We have a responsibility to the people to tell the truth about the distorted parts of the budget, which are largely theoretical. In politics, one governs with the belief that everything will go wrong, and you must fix it,” stated Stigas, while referring to the housing issue he said:

“The allocation of an additional 1.1 billion euros, not exclusively for housing but as part of the medium-term fiscal-restructuring framework, is clearly insufficient. It does not address the systemic causes of the housing crisis, which include: the lack of affordable rental homes, the increase in inequality in access to housing. These are two factors with serious implications for social cohesion and meaningful economic development. Housing is not just an economic policy issue, it is a basic need that impacts social cohesion, quality of life, and citizens’ ability to actively participate in the economy. The fact that the housing issue is not given the attention and funding it requires in the budget is disappointing. In a period where rents are skyrocketing and access to affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult, the government should have prioritized specific interventions:

• Increase in new housing: Mass construction of new homes could reduce the pressure on the rental market. Yes, banking access needs to be restored, and the construction sector should start running again.
• Incentives for property owners: Tax breaks or subsidies for renovation and renting out properties with social criteria.
• Regulation of the rental market: Addressing exploitation and speculation with rent increase caps.”

The president of the Spartans added on the same topic: “The housing issue concerns the younger generations, low-income families, and the middle class, which is being hit by rising costs. It is unthinkable that the budget does not include a clear, sustainable strategy to address this. The lack of a substantive policy in this area reflects the government’s detachment from the daily needs of the citizens. By comparison, Austria is a living example of a country that has invested significantly in housing, allocating far higher amounts per capita for affordable housing. Through these investments, it managed to reduce housing shortages by 15% within five years, according to Eurostat data. On the other hand, Greece, facing an explosive rise in rents and limited access to quality housing, chooses a ‘band-aid’ approach for a serious illness.”

Regarding the minimum wage, Stigas argued that “in Greece, it is not just a number but a symbol of injustice, a measure of shame, and the reflection of a policy that has abandoned workers. It is unthinkable and outrageous that, in a country with such a rich history and pride, citizens are forced to choose between food, heating, or rent. We, the Spartans, urge the government to revise its approach and give the proper attention to the housing issue, which is fundamental to ensuring social welfare and economic development.”

Commenting on the forecast for a 2.3% growth rate in 2025, he claimed it was “overly optimistic and disconnected from the reality of today’s internal and international environment,” adding: “The risk of an energy crisis based on developments in the Middle East is evident. Yet, the budget leaves only 100 million euros for expenditure overrun, which is insufficient to cover the financial gap that will arise from an increase in electricity prices, especially if the price of oil exceeds 80-90 dollars a barrel. In the current budget, energy costs are calculated based on a price of 75 dollars per barrel. In 2024, the average growth rate in the EU was only 0.9%, with many large economies in stagnation or recession.”

Additionally, Stigas noted: “The increase in private consumption and exports cannot be sustained indefinitely, especially in an environment of reduced demand within the eurozone,” while wondering “how consumption can increase when income is falling.” He also stressed that “a society that condemns its workers to poverty has no future.”

The president of the Spartans also expressed concern about “the monster of demographic collapse” and emphasized the need to reverse subfertility.

At the same time, referring to the recent malfunction in the Thessaloniki Metro, he pointed out that “the condition of the trains is not only the responsibility of ND but all the parties that have governed,” and later criticized the holding of a conference on “the Macedonian language” at the University of Macedonia.

Finally, Stigas emphasized: “As a society, we must turn to the people. Strengthen our infrastructure, improve education, health, and welfare, and give a voice to those who have none. We must make progress real, not an illusion serving only the few. Because what value does progress have if it is not accompanied by smiles, hope, and a better quality of life for all? Let’s take action now, before it’s too late.”