Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis gave answers and clarifications on Monday morning regarding what will happen with raises for police officers, firefighters, and coastguards, following the backlash from ND ministers and MPs after the announcements of raises for Armed Forces personnel.

Saying that “open doors are being kicked in,” Mr. Pierrakakis reminded that “to a large extent the raises are already planned,” noting that all uniformed personnel are scheduled to receive a €30 monthly raise starting April 1st, while from July 1st they will also get the €100 hazard allowance.

He explained that “the Armed Forces were prioritized, and the same logic will apply to the rest of the uniformed services. We will examine the available fiscal space, we will exhaust all possibilities to support them, but in a structured way, with pen and paper.”

Referring to the “blue” backlash, he asked:
“Didn’t we prioritize healthcare workers last year to ensure coverage across the country?” He also pointed out that the Defense Ministry “achieved significant savings — we had reached a point where we had more generals than the US. The dividend of these savings is being returned and a new promotion scale is being implemented.”

Reiterating that “we will exhaust all options” for raises for the remaining uniformed services, Mr. Pierrakakis added:
“We have time, with the Thessaloniki Fair and the announcements traditionally made by the Prime Minister in collaboration with the economic team.” He clarified that Dendias’ announcements were made early “to accommodate the Armed Forces’ personnel information systems.”

“There’s no such thing as free compassion”

Commenting again on the reactions, Pierrakakis stressed:
“None of us is more or less compassionate. We are mindful of the police, firefighters, and coastguards, but everyone must be supported. There are social groups that need support, and that happens with steady progress and solid foundations.”

Elsewhere, he said:
“There’s no such thing as free compassion. At the Defense Ministry, we made cuts. When I was at the Education Ministry, I worked with Mr. Hatzidakis to make savings so we could hire 10,000 teachers. That’s what real compassion looks like.”

“No government ever won with handouts, but with stability”

“Economic policy is grounded in fiscal stability. The opposite of that is a bailout. Our generation will not return to memorandums. No government has ever won by promising handouts but by ensuring stability. If we’re even able to have this discussion now, it’s because governance is steady-handed,” the Finance Minister emphasized.

In that context, he said:
“We joined forces with Mr. Mitsotakis back in 2016, even with diverse backgrounds, because we knew we wouldn’t let the country fall back into bailouts.”

On the 13th and 14th salaries

Asked about the possible return of 13th and 14th monthly salaries in the public sector, Pierrakakis replied:
“Since 2023, over €2 billion have been allocated to public sector raises. That’s equivalent to 1.3 extra monthly salaries. We aim to go further. There is no button to press to suddenly give a 14th salary or dual bonus pensions — both together cost €8 billion, that’s the equivalent of three ENFIA property taxes.” He clarified that “proceeds from privatizations go to debt reduction, not everyday economic measures.”

“We must have empathy for those in need, but also reason, so the country doesn’t crash on the rocks,” Pierrakakis added.

On tax reforms

When asked what changes are planned for taxation, Pierrakakis said:
“Fiscal space will be assessed before the Thessaloniki Fair. We’re looking at how there can be both developmental and social dividends, and we’ll examine this over the summer. I’ve already hinted at some priorities: young people paying rent, families — there will be support and tax breaks.”

“The more we succeed in fighting tax evasion, the more we can support society,” he added, announcing new “tools” using technology.

On the State’s withdrawal from appeals against compensation to fire victims’ families

Clarifying that the government’s decision to withdraw State appeals against compensation rulings for the relatives of the Mati fire victims has nothing to do with political timing, Pierrakakis said:
“Government policy is unified. Mr. Hatzidakis had already sent a letter to the Legal Council of the State on this matter.”

He also revealed that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis used the word “unacceptable” when speaking with him about the State’s legal challenges regarding Mati.

Finally, he clarified:
“The State will withdraw from everything — moral damages, emotional distress, and medical expenses already awarded — even in cases currently at the Court of Appeals.”