Those who await the Prime Minister’s announcements at the TIF with particular interest are the uniformed personnel who play a critical role in national affairs under challenging circumstances.

Recognizing that members of the Armed Forces, police officers, firefighters, etc. have been left behind, therefore, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected from Vellideio to make his intentions more specific on the issues that concern them, as they expect the second round of increases from the beginning of the new year.

It will be recalled that months ago the government was tested by the case of the salaries of the sailors, after the two-phase increases announced in the Armed Forces by Nikos Dendias, but on the basis of the savings achieved in their budget and acknowledging the wave of flight from arms, such as the Navy. At the same time, at time, Dendias had also initiated significant changes to the pay of students in the Armed Forces schools. In the end, the increase was extended to all security forces, which are, after all, interconnected by the Constitution, and after the government’s internal consultation, the appointment for the new announcements was made at the TIF.

Mitsotakis, even yesterday, with his concluding remarks at the ceremony to receive five new vessels of the Coast Guard, “pointed” in the direction of the announcements he intends to make, which are expected to come into force in the new year, with the new budget.

The exact percentage of the increase is still being kept as a top secret, but competent sources say the benefit will be twofold, as in addition to the nominal increases, they will also benefit from changes in tax brackets. Of course, the aid will be even greater for those in the armed forces who have children, given the government’s intention to increase the tax-free allowance per child further.

And a few weeks ago, however, the Athens and Thessaloniki Police Officers’ Associations had met with the responsible Finance Minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, who had assured them that the government intends to give satisfactory increases to the security forces, which will be similar to those of the Armed Forces, with some minor differences.

It may be recalled that the second phase of increases in the Armed Forces will come into effect from October 1, hence there will be de facto parity with the other security forces as well.