In his address to the cabinet on Thursday, the Prime Minister highlighted the budget, which he said “returns the dividend of growth,” and the major reform transferring responsibility for building permits and constructions from urban planning authorities to the Land Registry.

He also reminded that tomorrow, Friday, rent refunds will be credited to over 1 million tenants, “which translates into an 8% reduction in rents.”

At the same time, he emphasized that reforms are a top priority, sending the message that “we will fight the deep state and mediocrity, and we will win that fight.”

The Prime Minister’s Address

The Prime Minister began with announcements by the Ministry of Labor regarding Collective Labor Agreements, noting that “this initiative moves in the right direction. It provides security for employees and prospects for employers. This milestone comes from a center-right government that collaborated with the full spectrum of social partners. Responsibility – Trust – Productivity are the three key words because progress must be based on strengthening employees and ensuring security for businesses.”

Regarding the budget to be voted on in December, he said, “Its focus is on improving incomes. It is a development-oriented budget and, although not just a list of revenues and expenses, it serves as a compass guiding priorities. For the sixth year, the country will have double the growth of the eurozone, inflation appears to be under control, and measures worth nearly €3 billion will be implemented across society as additional tax relief. These forecasts strengthen the entire population, with emphasis on the middle class and families with children. Priority is also given to young people, uniformed personnel, and residents of the regions.”

“Citizens will see higher earnings from January 2026. Additionally, a new salary scale applies to uniformed personnel, retirees are further supported with the €250 allowance paid every November, and all retirees will receive an increase from January. They benefit from tax relief, and those with personal differences will see them eliminated,” the Prime Minister continued.

Specifically, regarding housing, he reminded that “tomorrow rent refunds will be paid to over 1 million tenants, equivalent to an 8% reduction in rents. We are reducing taxes on small properties, halving or eliminating property tax in villages with fewer than 1,500 residents, and lowering VAT across all islands in the eastern Aegean.”

“At a time when most European governments are forced to pass austerity budgets—you saw what happened in the UK—we can return the dividend of growth as a buffer against the rising cost of living. This will be the main subject of political discussion in the coming months,” added Mr. Mitsotakis, emphasizing, “We are not hitting the brakes but accelerating reforms.”

Referring to changes in urban planning authorities, he said, “When the Minister of Interior and I evaluated the public sector, urban planning authorities were functioning at just 3%. We are taking the bold decision to transfer responsibility for building permits and constructions to the Land Registry to create a coherent system that will facilitate owners, developers, and investors, with a one-stop shop for every property that will be operational by 2026.”

Regarding inheritance law and its distortions, given provisions that had remained unchanged for 80 years, he noted innovations such as the institution of the inheritance contract, changes to shares in the absence of a will, strengthening the position of spouses, and support for partners. “This reform has a developmental dimension regarding how property is inherited, ensuring that assets, which often cannot be utilized by heirs, can now be properly managed,” he added.

In conclusion, he stressed, “Anyone who doubts the government’s reformist disposition will see that the top priority is changes that improve citizens’ daily lives, with a fight against the deep state and mediocrity—and we will win that fight.”