At the proposal of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Cabinet meeting began, with the main focus being the legislation of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) measures, which will be brought to Parliament within October. At the same time, the Consumer Protection Code will be presented, along with the bill regarding the rules for legal migration and the draft law on changes to military service, as earlier reported by protothema.gr.

Key points from the Prime Minister’s address:

• “Our vigilance must be immediate — we must promptly counter fake news spreading in public discourse while consistently highlighting our own efforts, which still have more to deliver for everyone. This is a difficult path, but the only path to progress. We must walk it with confidence in our capabilities and with persuasion toward our fellow citizens. Let us not be swayed by appearances — Greeks who listen and think are far more numerous than those who only know how to shout. And the former expect much from us, and only from us.”
• “The issues we will discuss demonstrate the government’s clear orientation toward standing with society. Our response to the constantly increasing misinformation from the opposition will be, first and foremost, through our work — which will put our program into action.”
• “Legal migration is the other side of our strict policy against illegal entry into the country. We are simplifying processes, using new tools such as the tech visa to attract workers who want to work from our country. The other side of a strict policy is that we define the conditions under which people enter our country — and this is what the Migration Ministry’s bill serves.”
• “On Thursday, Parliament will discuss the procurement of the fourth Belharra frigate along with the modernization of the previous three. As you have been informed, we are also in talks with Italy for the possible acquisition of 2+2 frigates in excellent condition from our neighbors. All of this is the best practical response to show that the government’s priority is the qualitative upgrade of our armed forces in all fields, contrary to those who try to portray a different image of our country.”
• “We are making bold changes to the Armed Forces, which may provoke some reactions. However, I believe these are absolutely the right steps. These changes restructure our defense operations in terms of manpower to improve working conditions while setting stricter requirements for deferrals, exemptions, and transfers, removing many distortions. Our goal is for new recruits to receive genuine training, making military service a valuable qualification.”
• “We must look at the bigger picture: in the last six years, we have added 145,000 permanent public employees, half of whom serve in health and education — reflecting our social priorities. Moreover, we have introduced a framework of productivity bonuses for public servants who meet their service objectives. In 2026, we will increase and double the related budget, significantly expanding the number of recipients. For the first time, municipal and regional employees who contribute to achieving targets will be included, based on their evaluation.”
• “I express my satisfaction that we have managed to organize and accelerate recruitment so we don’t constantly chase our own tail.”
• “Energy prices appear to remain stable next month. We seem to be steadily returning to normalcy — one that doesn’t require additional state budget support while maintaining affordable energy prices for households and businesses, especially energy-intensive ones. Soon we will be in a position to make more specific announcements.”
• “This intervention, along with permanent increases in wages and pensions, constitutes a significant barrier against inflation while also expressing the government’s deliberate choice to support the new generation, families, and the Greek regions — not with temporary benefits but with permanent measures that will remain in effect. Our policy is always that the benefits of a healthy economy should return to society, and these measures are the result of reforms in recent years, most importantly our persistent efforts to combat tax evasion.”
• “Within two years, ENFIA will be abolished for 12,700 villages. Within two years, VAT will be reduced in border islands — measures that will officially become law in the coming weeks.”
• “Hundreds of thousands of pensioners will be relieved from the burden of the ‘personal difference’.”
• “I insisted that instead of speaking in general abstract indicators, we should focus on concrete examples. A seller with a net wage of €980 will gain over €1,072 per year — more than an extra month’s salary.”
• “At the center of our policy is a bold tax reform. More than four million people will see their incomes strengthened, while this will also benefit 150,000 uniformed personnel under the new wage system. I want to especially highlight the measure for young people: no one under 25 will pay income tax, and until the age of 30, the tax rate will be reduced to 9%.”
• “This battle for truth is a front that runs across all current affairs — from the Tempi tragedy to OPEKEPE issues, the health sector, and foreign and defense policy. That is why our responses must be immediate and well-founded. Now more than ever, realism becomes a factor of stability and normalcy.”

On foreign policy and peace:

• “I express my satisfaction with the peace plan for Gaza. We sent a signal of a strong Greece at the UN General Assembly. Greece does not ask for help — it provides it. This must be emphasized in relation to the frenzy of misinformation in Athens, because they even claimed my photo with Trump was fake, despite it being published by the White House protocol.”

At the suggestion of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the cabinet meeting began, in which the legislation of the TIF measures that will come before Parliament in October will be in the foreground. At the same time, the Consumer Protection Code will be presented, the bill on the rules for legal immigration and the draft law on changes to military service, as protothema.gr
reported earlier

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