Greek Premier Mitsotakis in Pre-Election Spending Spree Pledge

Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis launched the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) with a pre-election spending spree pledge on Saturday.

The Prime Minister announced a 5.5 billion euro package of twenty-one extraordinary and permanent subsidies, allowances, and incentives for households and businesses in what was his last major address prior to the next general election.

Setting the tone for the pre-election period, PM Mitsotakis pledged further tax cuts and aid to go beyond his current four-year term in power, which ends in May.

He hinted to the opposition as “those who remain malevolent spectators,” presenting the audience with an electoral dilemma.

Once again, the Prime Minister appeared adamant that the next general elections be held as scheduled despite pressure from opposition for earlier elections.

Mitsotakis’s pre-election spending package

The 5.5 billion euro package of financial aid will “not throw off the fiscal balance,” according to PM Mitsotakis.

The twenty-one programs he announced range from extra handouts to vulnerable citizens and increases in heating and student housing allowances to tax cuts, payroll reforms, and hiring incentives.

He also pledged a series of support measures for the housing of young citizens, including near-zero interest loans for the purchase of a first home.

The package of measures announced on Saturday will be implemented in its entirety, the Greek Premier reassured reporters on Sunday, at the start of the traditional TIF press conference, according to AMNA.

“We can achieve high growth rates and support society,” he announced. “The measures we are taking are fully harmonized with the budget targets.”