The government appears ready to channel the economy’s overperformance towards supporting the middle class and families with children, confirming the Sunday “THEMA” report on the strategic direction of the package. Of course, many social groups will receive benefits, in the government’s effort to also pick up the political thread, but the political and ideological identity of the package, which will definitely surpass 1.5 billion, is clear.

“At the Thessaloniki International Fair we will announce a reduction of direct taxes, which will be immediately felt in the pockets of Greeks. And the measures will be targeted toward the middle class,” said yesterday the Vice President of the government, Kostis Hatzidakis (SKAI), while government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis echoed the same line, simultaneously launching a strong attack on PASOK, which is demanding the reinstatement of a 13th and 14th salary, asking whether only public sector employees should be strengthened.

At the same time, the Vice President of the government, who has participated in the crucial meetings held even before the mid-August break to set the priorities for the Thessaloniki Fair, also confirmed the logic of supporting families with children and especially large families. As “THEMA” wrote on Sunday, in practice, the more children a family has, the fewer taxes it will pay, with the child no longer seen as a financial burden but as an incentive for tax relief. For large families in particular, the possibility of completely eliminating their tax burden is being considered. “We owe it to these people to move as positively as possible. But we also owe it to ourselves, and we owe it to our nation. Because in the medium to long term, the demographic issue is the most important national problem of the country,” Mr. Hatzidakis pointedly stated yesterday.

Real estate
Another area under consideration, where discussions are still ongoing, concerns measures to boost the supply of properties in the market. According to information, the suspension of VAT on construction should be considered certain through 2026, a measure deemed absolutely crucial for the continuation of construction activity.

It should be noted that today at the Bank of Greece, an extended meeting will take place with the participation of Central Banker Yannis Stournaras, Vice President Hatzidakis, Ministers Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Giorgos Floridis, as well as the heads of systemic banks and loan servicers. The main topic is the management of private debt, but it is considered unlikely that there will not also be discussion about dormant properties owned by banks and servicers that could be released to the market to boost supply.

Thessaloniki three-day agenda
Meanwhile, the government is intensifying preparations for the Thessaloniki International Fair next week. Today, a party meeting will be held at the Thessaloniki branch headquarters with the participation of party officials (Kostas Skrekas, Giannis Smyrlis, Thanasis Nezis). On Wednesday, a broader meeting with the mayors of Central Macedonia will follow, attended also by Kostis Hatzidakis and Theodoros Livanios. And on Thursday, Mr. Mitsotakis will travel to Thessaloniki, where he will speak at an event on the projects of Northern Greece at the Concert Hall, take part in meetings with business and professional associations at the Administrative Building, and meet with the city’s MPs of his party. He will be accompanied by nearly half of the cabinet, while ministers will also hold additional meetings beyond the Prime Minister’s program.