Mitsotakis: Our principle is that surpluses must be returned to the citizens

Source: ProtoThema English

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated the government’s commitment that every available fiscal space will be used for the benefit of society, as he returned, after a short summer “pause,” to his weekly review.

“Our principle is that surpluses must be returned to the citizens. Every available fiscal space will be utilized for the benefit of society,” the Prime Minister underlined, noting that the primary surplus for the January–July period exceeded the target by €1.2 billion.

The Prime Minister referred to the improvement in the current account balance and the reduction of the trade deficit in goods by 2.4%. Travel receipts from tourists increased by 11%. “Very significant also is the strong performance of foreign direct investment, which in the first half of the year rose by €800 million compared to last year. All these show an economy that is steadily improving and producing benefits that return to society,” he said.

“We will never again allow Greece to be pushed to the margins”

Mr. Mitsotakis spoke about diplomatic efforts for peace in Ukraine and Greece’s position:
“We are doing what is required by our place in the core of the European Union and by our major geopolitical choices. We earned this position with effort. Our homeland paid very dearly for its European isolation during the years of the financial crisis. We will never again allow Greece to be pushed to the margins. We supported Ukraine from the very beginning. We supported the defender against the aggressor in an unprovoked invasion and blatant violation of a country’s sovereignty. We stand with Europe. We stand with the West. We stand with international legality. We cannot accept changing borders by force as a regular practice.”

He also criticized those who attack the government’s stance on Ukraine: “They are the same people who, by their attitude, ask us to forget the trauma of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus,” he pointed out.

On the wildfires

The Prime Minister gave an initial assessment of this summer’s wildfires, noting that Greece, like the entire European South, was tested:
“The climate crisis is shaping a harsh new reality. Fire Service data show that on a daily basis they handle around 40 wildfires, while last week that number exceeded 70 per day. The vast majority were brought under control within a few hours. The spread across Greece was wide, with cases such as Achaia, where 4–5 different fronts broke out simultaneously – or one after another – in the wider area, forcing fire forces and volunteers to disperse. I consider it irresponsible and dangerous, for reasons of partisan confrontation, to call into question the life-saving – as has been proven – warning and evacuation system, 112. Human life is the highest good.”

The government, he stressed, will support those affected, while expressing thanks to firefighters, volunteers, police, citizens, and local government.

Other highlights of the weekly review

• Ukraine: Greece supports immediate ceasefire and strong security guarantees for Ukraine, ready to contribute to reconstruction.
• Tribute: Mitsotakis honored the late Apostolos Vesyropoulos, calling him a modest, responsible politician who served public life with integrity.
• Wildfire response: He emphasized record numbers of firefighters, vehicles, aircraft, drones, and major investments in prevention. Over 300 arson arrests have been made in 2025.
• Health (ESY): Citizens’ evaluations show 93% found the doctors they needed, 88% praised staff courtesy, 75% were satisfied overall. Improvements include hospital renovations, hiring, pay raises, mobile health units, and afternoon surgeries.
• Education: 8,823 new permanent teacher appointments for the new school year. 8 new special education schools, new equipment for music schools after 17 years, and stricter security measures at universities.
• Infrastructure: New road section Vonitsa–Lefkada opened; major irrigation projects in Thessaly launched; bill on “social exchange” in housing presented, allocating public land for affordable housing.
• Economy: Surplus €1.2 billion above target; improvements in current account and trade balance; exports (excluding oil) up 4.3%; tourism revenues up 11%; FDI up €800 million.
• Migration: After new emergency measures (no asylum processing, detention, returns), arrivals dropped sharply – from 2,642 in one week of July to under 400 in August.
• Culture: Restoration of the Archaeological Museum of Lemnos completed; 21 major cultural projects launched in Attica (Elefsina, Athens, Lavrio) with €40 million in EU funds, including the reuse of the Old Acropolis Museum and digital promotion of Aristotle’s Lyceum.

“This ends our first post-summer review. See you again next Sunday. Good morning!”

The original article: https://en.protothema.gr/2025/08/24/mitsotakis-our-principle-is-that-surpluses-must-be-returned-to-the-citizens/ belongs to ProtoThema English .