Rising prices, the purchasing power of Greeks and the housing crisis were among the issues discussed by Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis in an interview with Action24, during which he acknowledged that price increases continue to put pressure on household incomes.

“High prices are eating away at incomes,” Papathanasis admitted, while noting that Greece’s position in terms of purchasing power had improved in recent years.

“We are neither among the highest nor the lowest, but the situation regarding our country’s purchasing power has improved. We have moved up several places, and there are quite a few countries behind us,” he said.

However, he made clear that the government did not consider the current situation satisfactory. “We want to do even better. This is not enough for us.”

Papathanasis also argued that Greece’s economic growth rate was more than twice the European average, creating the conditions for unemployment to continue falling.

“I disagree that the ‘My Home’ scheme is driving up property prices”

Addressing the housing crisis, Papathanasis was asked to comment on a report by Kathimerini claiming that the “My Home” scheme had contributed to a 30% increase in property prices.

The deputy minister rejected this assessment, arguing that the scheme had already helped thousands of families purchase their own homes.

“I disagree that ‘My Home’ is driving up prices. This scheme has enabled 24,000 families to buy a home,” he said, adding that those beneficiaries were now paying lower monthly mortgage instalments than the rent they had previously paid.

He also said that a further 15,000 families would have the opportunity to buy a home through the “My Home 3” programme, while the “Renovate” programme was expected to launch in the coming period.

Papathanasis acknowledged that not all government measures delivered immediate results, but argued that the gradual implementation of different initiatives could help address the housing crisis.

“Yes, not all measures take effect immediately, but many measures, gradually, help solve the housing problem,” he noted.

Concluding his remarks, he returned to the issue of high prices, stressing:

“Anyone who says that high prices can be solved with a magic wand is lying.”