Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the creation of a National Authority to Combat High Prices, modeled after the Swedish system, and stricter rules regarding illegal immigration and rejected asylum seekers, during his opening remarks at today’s cabinet meeting.
Regarding the abolition of OPEKEPE (Greek Payment Authority of Common Agricultural Policy Aid Schemes) and the transfer of its responsibilities to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Mitsotakis pointedly stated:
“When a Gordian knot cannot be untied, it must be cut.”
Tackling High Prices
“We meet today amid intense international developments,” the Prime Minister said. “Despite domestic political stability, global turmoil persists. While our economy remains one of the most dynamic, trade disruptions continue to cause problems, such as high prices. Greece records one of the highest food inflation rates in the Eurozone. Although rising incomes offer some buffer, the price hike battle is not over—it is fueled by tariff wars.”
To address this, Mitsotakis announced:
“We are adding a new weapon to our arsenal: a National Market Oversight Authority, modeled on Sweden. This authority will operate alongside the Competition Commission and will be staffed by personnel from the Consumer Ombudsman and DIMEA (Market Inspection Authority). It will handle inspections, complaints, and out-of-court settlements. Soon, a dedicated mobile app will allow citizens to immediately report violations to inspectors.”
He also mentioned upcoming regulations for supermarkets, requiring special labeling for smaller-sized products to prevent deceptive pricing.
The Prime Minister also highlighted efforts to promote producer-only farmers’ markets, which won’t necessarily compete with commercial sellers:
“We need support from local government for this initiative.”
Immigration Policy
On illegal immigration, Mitsotakis said:
“If I were to give it a title, it would be: Harsher penalties for those entering or remaining illegally if their asylum application has been rejected.”
He stressed the need for a more effective return mechanism:
“Greece has led the way in changing European migration policy. There is now an understanding across Europe that external border protection and effective returns are critical. Today, fewer than 2 in 10 irregular migrants in Europe are returned to their countries of origin. Our directive is to accelerate returns, and I believe the new framework will reflect that.”
He added that these reforms form part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure a safer daily life for all Greek citizens.
Looking Ahead to 2030
Mitsotakis emphasized that the results of previous reforms are only now becoming visible, such as in the healthcare sector. He stated that current actions will bear fruit after 2027, aiming for a fully transformed Greece by 2030.
Regarding OPEKEPE’s dissolution:
“I’m confident that the entire agricultural sector will see the benefits. We want subsidies to continue without a single euro ending up in the wrong hands.”
Historical Reference
Mitsotakis began his remarks by marking the anniversary of Greece’s 1979 signing of the EEC Accession Treaty by Konstantinos Karamanlis at the Zappeion:
“An event that tied our destiny to Europe—46 years later, Greece is at the forefront of continental developments, having overcome repeated challenges, including a long financial crisis.”
Cabinet Meeting Agenda
Held at Maximos Mansion, today’s cabinet meeting includes the following key topics:
- Market Oversight and Consumer Protection Reform
Presented by Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos. - Migration and Return Procedure Reform Bill
Presented by Minister of Migration and Asylum Makis Voridis. - Transformation of OPEKEPE
Through absorption by AADE, presented by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Agricultural Development Minister Kostas Tsiaras. - Miscellaneous Legislative Proposals
Presented by Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis and Deputy Minister of Education Yiannis Vroutsis. - National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence
Presented by Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou. - Approval of 2024 Public Debt Management Report
Presented by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis. - Formation of Interministerial Committee on Foreign Investment for Security/Public Order
Presented by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. - Formation of Government Housing Policy Committee
Presented by Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou.
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