In an interview on CNBC’s “Europe Early Edition,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the new momentum of the Greek economy, emphasizing the progress achieved thanks to bold reforms and the restoration of fiscal stability. The interview was titled “The Return of the Greek Economy”, signaling the country’s recognition as a recovery success story within the Eurozone.

Mr. Mitsotakis referred to the high growth rates, noting that Greece has moved beyond the crisis era and is now progressing confidently, investing in reforms focused on innovation, digitization, and the labor market.

Debt and Unemployment Reduction – Stability as the Key

The prime minister highlighted the early repayment of debt as a strong signal of credibility to the markets and pointed to the steady decline in unemployment, which he attributed to strengthening the private economy and attracting investments.

He also made special mention of Europe’s defense strategy, stressing the importance of European autonomy as well as transatlantic cooperation, particularly in trade relations.

“During the four years between 2015 and 2019, we suffered the consequences of the disastrous negotiation by the left-wing government. In that period up to 2019, we had the lowest growth rate in Europe. Things are now completely different. Since 2019, at the core of our economic success was the re-establishment of confidence in the fundamental principles of the Greek economy. None of this would have happened if we hadn’t made difficult decisions to put our fiscal house in order,” the prime minister stated.

Speaking on the Greek economy, Mr. Mitsotakis noted:

“We were bold enough to implement growth measures, with significant structural reforms that improved the competitiveness of the Greek economy. I believe we have an attractive story for foreign investors, and foreign investments continue to come into the Greek economy. Of course, I was the one who negotiated on Greece’s behalf the Next Generation EU program. Greece will receive €36 billion in addition to what it will get from the fund, including agricultural subsidies through 2026.”

Regarding the reforms implemented, Mr. Mitsotakis told CNBC:

“This wasn’t just a story of European support. We made bold decisions and managed to win a second election after proving that we can deliver results with sound, growth-friendly policies.”

On the criticism from the opposition, he noted:

“We live in an era where populists challenge the ability of more traditional parties, and in Greece we defied that trend. In 2023, we increased our percentages in two successive elections, effectively convincing voters that we can fulfill our campaign promises and offer them a better future. That will again be the challenge in 2027. Will we remain consistent? Can we build trust? Can we stay focused on what matters to citizens? The number one issue in Greece is still inflation and disposable income. We know we must improve people’s lives.”

On citizens’ incomes, he stressed:

“We know we need to move forward with further tax cuts, raise wages, and create more jobs. But we must do it sustainably, without risking the core elements of what we’ve achieved.”