Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced renewed pressure on both the British Museum and the British government for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, revealing that the discussions held so far have yielded no results. “We will intensify our claims,” he said, using particularly sharp language regarding the removal of the Sculptures from Athens: “They were part of a single monument, which was dismembered and, quite clearly, stolen.”

Speaking at the To Vima conference “Dialogues for Athens,” the Prime Minister described the Parthenon as a global symbol, not only of Greek civilization but of humanity, linking the demand for reunification with the symbolism of democracy as well.

As he said, the Parthenon was not simply a temple dedicated to Athens’ patron goddess, but also tells the story of the first democracy. He directly linked this observation to the current situation, “at a time when democracy is being challenged from the right or from the left.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also rejected the argument that the return of the Sculptures would open the door to similar claims from major museums around the world. “We are not arguing that the major museums should be emptied,” he stressed, insisting that the Parthenon is a unique case and that reunification could be accompanied by broader cultural cooperation.

Regarding the course of discussions with the British side, the Prime Minister acknowledged that “unfortunately, there has been no progress” and outlined the next steps: “We will intensify our claims, not only toward the British Museum but also toward the British government.”

He also referred to the British Museum Act of 1963, explaining that British legislation limits the Museum’s ability to decide to return the Sculptures and that “an exception will be needed.”

In this effort, Athens is also prepared to make use of cultural diplomacy. Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the renovation of the National Archaeological Museum and the possibility of objects from its collections being used as part of a cultural partnership.

“I believe the time has come,” he said, citing support from British public opinion for the reunification of the Sculptures.

Finally, the Prime Minister linked the renewed effort to the climate in relations between London and Brussels following Brexit, noting that Athens is closely following the British Prime Minister’s statements about a closer relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Mitsotakis: The proposal for two additional floors and the jab at Androulakis via Spain

Kyriakos Mitsotakis took a swipe at Nikos Androulakis over the housing crisis, using Spain as an example and pointing to the failure, as he put it, of the socialist government to address the crisis. At the same time, he put forward a proposal to increase the supply of housing in Greece by increasing the floor area, even by two additional floors, for buildings that would be constructed exclusively for long-term rental.

“What is happening in Spain, where the situation is much worse than in Greece? A socialist government has completely failed to address this crisis,” the Prime Minister said at the To Vima conference “Dialogues for Athens.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis insisted on the Spanish example, saying that “the Spanish government was presented by the socialist parties as a model for managing the housing crisis,” only to add that “in the end, it collapsed because it failed to manage the housing crisis successfully.”

Nikos Androulakis was not named by the Prime Minister. The jab, however, comes after the PASOK leader’s call for a “progressive socialist” government and the political confrontation over different proposals for addressing the housing crisis.

As for Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis insisted on the need to increase the number of homes available. He referred to the return of one month’s rent in November, up to €800 for a primary residence, estimating that this reduces the tenant’s annual cost by approximately 8%.

“We cannot solve the problem only in this way. We need more supply,” he said.

To increase supply, he proposed considering a new model for densely built-up cities. Private developers could construct buildings exclusively for long-term rental and, as an incentive, be allowed to build additional floor space.

“Give them more square meters to build. Perhaps by increasing it by two floors,” he said.

This is an idea that he himself put forward for discussion and not a government announcement. He also acknowledged that similar planning incentives have been rejected by the courts and spoke of the need to find a balance between protecting the environment and “a right as fundamental as housing.”

The Prime Minister also referred to apartments that could return to the long-term rental market, with incentives for owners to renovate them.

Regarding Airbnb, he acknowledged their importance to the economy, while making clear that “where we need to set limits, we will,” as has already happened in the historic center of Athens.

Finally, he linked housing pressures to economic growth, noting that during the years of deep recession Greece did not face a comparable crisis, whereas today it is being called upon to manage the pressures created by increased demand.