In his established Sunday post, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis provided an extensive review of the government’s interventions during the week, highlighting the completion of the E65 motorway, the new National Development Programme worth €23 billion, the support measures in response to international energy disruptions, as well as recent legislative initiatives concerning survivors’ pensions, housing, higher education, public transport, and national defence.

At the same time, he referred to developments in the Middle East and their impact on the economy, stressing that the government will continue to intervene in order to support society.

The Prime Minister characteristically stated that at this moment “no one can predict today where this crisis may lead, nor what its effects will be on international energy prices,” and added:

“Already, the reduction of 10 cents in the price of petrol and 5 cents in the price of diesel, funded by the refineries, is being implemented. In addition, we decided that the state will cover an additional reduction in diesel fuel for the entire month of August, by another 10 cents per litre, so that the total discount reaches 15 cents. This is a targeted intervention amounting to €30 million, aimed not only at supporting professionals and transport, but also at limiting the price increases that are passed on throughout the entire supply chain.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ post

See in detail the post by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:

If there is one real test of credibility for a government, it is, without a second thought, its ability to turn commitments into tangible work that improves the daily lives of many people. And this is precisely what the handover of the Kalambaka–Grevena section of the E65 motorway this week represents.

We are talking about a 182-kilometre road axis that began almost 20 years ago, went through forty waves of difficulties, became stuck during the years of the economic crisis, and was ultimately completed thanks to our persistent efforts to include it in the Recovery Fund.

The E65 now essentially connects southern with northern Greece, is incorporated into the Trans-European Transport Networks by linking the Thessaloniki–Evzoni motorway with the Egnatia Odos motorway, and dramatically reduces travel times to Thessaly, Western Macedonia, and Epirus.

I am truly proud that this emblematic project is being delivered to citizens, adding to the Patras–Pyrgos road, which has been completed, and the BOAK (Northern Road Axis of Crete), which is on the path to implementation.

Projects such as the E65 demonstrate in practice how much the resources of the Recovery Fund have helped us. But the question is what happens from now on.

The answer, therefore, is the new National Development Programme, with a total budget of €23 billion, exclusively from national resources, which constitutes the country’s central national development tool for the next five-year period of 2026–2030, alongside the EU community funds that we are seeking for the period 2028–2034.

Our goal is for these resources to have an impact in every corner of Greece, financing critical needs, from roads, schools, and hospitals to water supply projects, digital services, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, housing, and demographic policy.

This is our commitment: that the effort for a better everyday life does not stop with the completion of the Recovery Fund.

However, we know that this everyday life is often threatened by external disruptions. Developments in the Middle East are unfortunately becoming increasingly worrying following the new escalation of conflicts and the collapse of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

No one can predict today where this crisis may lead, nor what its consequences will be for international energy prices and, ultimately, for the cost of living.

Our country cannot influence what happens outside its borders. However, we are trying to limit their consequences for citizens as much as possible.

The reduction of 10 cents in the price of petrol and 5 cents in the price of diesel, funded by the refineries, is already being implemented. In addition, we decided that the state will cover an additional reduction in diesel fuel for the entire month of August, by another 10 cents per litre, so that the total discount reaches 15 cents.

This is a targeted intervention of €30 million, aimed not only at supporting professionals and transport, but also at limiting the price increases that are passed on throughout the entire supply chain.

Rest assured that, within the limits of our economy’s capabilities, we support and will continue to support society against every external challenge, without grandiose promises, but through actions.

I am changing the subject and coming to a series of important interventions for everyday life and social protection that were voted on this week in Parliament.

First of all, and now officially “with the seal of approval,” we have restored a major injustice of many years regarding survivors’ pensions, by abolishing the cuts introduced by the Tsipras–Katrougalos law.

Thus, 8,500 pensioners will see their pension doubled; 75,000 pensioners will continue to receive 70% and will not owe a single euro to EFKA; the 122,000 pensioners who have two national pensions will no longer face the reduction of one of the two, while the debts that had been created will also be written off; and children who lost both of their parents will now receive the full national pension.

At the same time, as I had told you, for the first time we are introducing clear rules for electric scooters in order to protect young people on the roads, by banning their use by people under 17 years of age, establishing mandatory insurance and stricter fines, while creating an Electronic Registry for effective inspections.

Finally, four permanent policies for persons with disabilities are now becoming state law: the Personal Assistant programme, Early Childhood Intervention for all children, organised education for people with visual impairments, and the new Accessibility at Home programme, with €85 million secured annually.

Together, we also voted for four important interventions concerning housing: creating 2,000 social housing units in inactive military camps, expanding the Demographic Development Programme, and providing tax incentives for social housing and Supported Living Homes.

Regarding the housing issue, the National Strategy for Affordable Housing was approved this week.

It is our roadmap for the next decade, with 50 measures and more than €6.5 billion, aiming at the construction or renovation of nearly 20,000 homes and more than 8,500 student accommodation places.

I should also say that 36 of the 50 measures are already included in the digital housing policy portal stegasi.gov.gr, while the remaining 14 constitute newly proposed measures.

Our goal is to bring more properties onto the market, contain rents, and provide real relief to the incomes of young people and our most vulnerable fellow citizens.

Also, in the same direction of providing practical support to families, applications have opened for vouchers for childcare centres and KDAP (Creative Activity Centres for Children) (until 5 August at www.eetaa.gr).

We are increasing resources to €393.5 million from €270 million in 2019, while the major innovation this year is that all children from large families are admitted to childcare centres without any income criterion.

Now, regarding the transport sector, we have very positive news both for Thessaloniki and for Athens.

In Thessaloniki, we have received 50 brand-new electric articulated buses, which will enter service from September, specifically for the connection with the airport, while in Athens 125 new electric vehicles are already operating and upgrade projects for fixed-track transport systems are progressing.

At the same time, a tender was announced for the complete upgrade and installation of air conditioning in first-generation metro trains, while the contract was signed for improving accessibility at the Kallithea station.

And because we want to make it easier for those considering switching to electric mobility, we are increasing the “I Move Electrically III” programme by €10 million and extending applications until the end of 2026.

Among the reforms that were discussed for decades but never moved forward, I highlight the one that opens Greek higher education to the world.

This week, the installation and operation licences were signed for seven additional branches of international universities that will operate from the academic year 2026–2027, following strict evaluation and with the approval of the competent independent authorities.

Among them are leading universities such as Georgetown University, Iowa State University, Roger Williams University, the European University Cyprus, as well as three institutions that were successfully re-evaluated.

The certification of the academic programmes now follows, so that every young person will know that the studies they choose meet the highest academic standards.

This is a historic change that puts an end to a Greek peculiarity lasting for decades and creates more choices for students, keeps valuable human capital in the country, attracts international partnerships, and strengthens research and innovation.

And I want to emphasise one more thing: the strengthening of non-state, non-profit universities does not come at the expense of public universities.

On the contrary, it is proceeding alongside the largest investment made in public universities in decades, with more funding, new student residences, better infrastructure, and greater international outreach.

Because our goal is not to limit young people’s choices, but to multiply them.

On this occasion, I would like to wish success to all the students entering higher education following the announcement of this year’s admission thresholds and, at the same time, to those students who did not achieve their goals, I want them to know the following: nothing ends with this year’s exams; you have your whole life ahead of you to try and achieve your dreams.

Let me move to the economy, where the development law supporting investment plans of Greek businesses is now “running” at high speed, leaving behind permanently the delays of the past.

We unlocked more than €134 million in tax exemptions for 90 investment projects in tourism and manufacturing, an amount five times higher than last year.

This is an important development in favour of the real economy and growth, because liquidity for businesses means more investments and more jobs with good wages.

In national defence, we are moving forward with one of the most substantial reinforcements of the Armed Forces in recent years.

The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) approved 10 new defence procurement programmes worth more than €4 billion, with the spearhead being the “Shield of Achilles,” an integrated command and control system against every threat.

The important point is that the Greek Defence Industry is actively participating with €700 million, while 8 of the 10 new special operations underwater vehicles will be manufactured here, at Skaramangas.

The programme also includes new Embraer transport aircraft and the upgrade of the four MEKO frigates.

And because the strength of the Armed Forces lies in their people, we are investing in our human resources by sending officers for postgraduate studies in the United States, specialising in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

I conclude, as I usually do in my latest reviews, with culture.

Three very important monuments of Epirus — the Kaloutsiani Mosque, the Ottoman Bath in the Castle of Ioannina, and the Castle of Kiafa in Souli — were restored by the Ministry of Culture and handed over to the local community by the President of the Republic.

These are projects that bring the history of the region back to life and give new vitality to these sites, as part of the effort we are making to protect and highlight our cultural heritage in every corner of Greece.