Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis published his regular post on Sunday morning, August 3, referring to several major current issues.

The Prime Minister began by referring to the digital work card which, as he wrote, “now covers nearly 2 million employees and, as of this year, is being implemented in the large sectors of tourism and food service.”

He then spoke about two distinct incidents this week that, as he said, show the progress of the National Health System (ESY): “First and foremost, I’m referring to the incredible effort that began at the Metsovo Health Center, which received 15-year-old Dimitris in a coma, and continued with the fast response of EKAV and the Minister himself, who all played critical roles in the airlift and successful liver transplant that saved the child’s life. We wish him a full recovery. We also draw optimism from the first results of the digital patient tracking system being implemented in emergency departments.”

He concluded his message by writing:
“May August’s break bring you joy, peace, and time with those and what you love. We’ll meet again in our Sunday catch-up in the second half of August – practically just two Sundays without a review… we’ll survive!”

The full post by Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
Good morning and happy first Sunday of the month!
Some say August is the Sunday of summer. And I think they’re right. It’s the month when most of us seek a few days of rest, returning to beloved places, habits, and people—leaving behind, for a little while, the routine of city life and work.
We all need a short pause to recharge, reflect on the winter that passed, and set new goals for the one ahead.
During this time, I always think of those who continue working so the rest of us can take a break. Let’s be grateful and kind to them—especially in these days.

I begin this last review before the break with work and workers, who have been a central focus of our policy in recent years.
The digital work card now covers nearly 2 million employees and is now being implemented in the large sectors of tourism and food service.
Thanks to this, millions of overtime hours, which until recently went undeclared, are now recorded and paid—legally and properly.
Overtime declarations in tourism increased by over 1,000%, in food service by nearly 130%, and in sectors like industry and retail by between 85% and 92%.
Undeclared work has always been a deep wound in the Greek labor market. Now we have tools to combat it. And this benefits both the income of workers and the public coffers, which have seen an increase of €1.7 billion in revenue in the past year.

Meanwhile, the transformation of the Labor Inspectorate into an independent authority is proving successful.
Inspections have risen from 54,294 in 2019 to 79,290 this year.
Fines issued increased from 8,473 to 16,766, and confirmed amounts rose from €33.7 million to €51.3 million.
New Democracy is the party of work—but also of freedom, legality, and security.
We want Greeks to work and thrive in an environment of justice and opportunity, with better pay, and without any discrimination or abuse.

The most recent ERGANI report shows a record in new job creation for the first half of 2025 over the past 25 years, with a 75% increase in new full-time contracts in the private sector. The labor market is changing visibly for the better.

This week, another major infrastructure project was delivered: the Patras–Pyrgos national road. A modern highway now extends the northern road axis of the Peloponnese by another 65 kilometers beyond Patras. The remaining 10 kilometers are expected by the end of the year.
The old Patras–Pyrgos road was among the most dangerous in Greece. From 2016 to 2020, 56 people lost their lives there, with another 25 fatalities since 2021. Completing the project is the least we can do to honor those victims.

From Ilia in the west to Evros in the north and east, security and optimism for the residents of Evros is a vital matter. That’s why we launched the relocation.vouchers.gov.gr platform, offering €10,000 support to every family choosing to move or return to Evros, plus €1,000 for each child.
But incentives alone are not enough. We’re also enhancing the Democritus University with new departments, extending the railway network, providing incentives for public sector employees, deploying mobile health units, continuing construction of the Evros fence, implementing employment and entrepreneurship programs, and subsidizing transport routes including a weekly ferry link with Piraeus via Chios and Mytilene.
This is our national strategy for regional development. No region—and no citizen—should be left behind.

A related issue is that of demographics.
The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family has announced a €755 million budget for childcare and creative activities programs for the 2025–2027 period.
This is a significant support measure, with a two-year program cycle, benefiting more families, including infants and toddlers in nurseries, school-age children and teenagers in Creative Activity Centers (KDAP), and individuals with disabilities in KDAP for persons with disabilities.
Regarding disability inclusion, I was happy to hear words of appreciation on Monday from four representatives of the community of people with disabilities for the new “Accessibility at Home” program.
Public interest exceeded the available budget of €24 million, and we increased it by another €10 million to serve an additional 1,000 beneficiaries.
We still have much to do—and we will do it.

From social cohesion to national defense:
This week, Greece officially submitted its application to participate in the new European program SAFE, requesting €1.2 billion in funding.
This proposal raises the total defense plan for 2025–2036 from €28.8 billion to €30 billion, and increases annual defense procurements from €2.3 billion in 2026 to €2.6 billion from 2028 onward.
These aren’t just numbers. They translate into stronger deterrence, growth for our defense industry, job creation, technology transfer, and revitalization of critical sectors.
For us, defense is not a bureaucratic obligation but a national duty. And there is no strong defense without social cohesion, just as there is no social progress without national security.

Now back to healthcare:
Two incidents this week demonstrate the progress of the National Health System.
First and foremost, the incredible effort that began at the Metsovo Health Center, which received 15-year-old Dimitris in a coma, continued with the swift response of EKAV and the Minister himself, and was crowned by a successful liver transplant.
We wish him a full recovery.
At the same time, we take encouragement from the early results of the digital patient tracking system with electronic bracelets now in emergency departments.
The average time a citizen spends in the ER has dropped by 58%. Last Thursday, it was just 3 hours and 46 minutes.

We must measure, monitor, and manage the National Health System with digital tools, both for the benefit of citizens and for healthcare workers.

On the economy, the week brought a very important proposal for the acquisition of the Athens Stock Exchange by Europe’s largest stock exchange group.
This is important not only because it expands the exchange’s international reach and connects us with major European markets and investors, but also because it signals trust in Greece’s recovery.
This recovery has been confirmed by the return to investment grade and by the entry of a large European banking group into the Greek market.

The second big economic news of the week concerns the end of the EU–US tariff war.
We’ve said many times that tariffs hurt both economies, harm products and consumers.
We’ll continue to support the full abolition of all tariffs on EU and US goods and hope we’ll soon find a balanced agreement with our American friends.

I sincerely wish you a joyful and peaceful August break, full of connection with people and things you love.
We’ll meet again in the second half of August—just two Sundays without a weekly review, we’ll survive!
Be well!