Greek PM Mitsotakis on Inflation, Farmers & Minimum Wage at Government Cabinet

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the government cabinet at the Maximos Hall in Athens, on Thursday morning where he outlined a series of priorities over the coming months which included tackling inflation, supporting agricultural products, and enhancing public health.

The MP highlighted the raise of the minimum wage, a policy to be finalized during the next cabinet meeting, and expected to be implemented on April 1 to counter persistent inflation.

Mitsotakis stressed the ongoing efforts to curtail prices on 1,500 products, expecting the first tangible results to emerge by early March, while he went on to underline the significance of targeted measures to address current needs, including correcting structural market distortions. He said that there had been 20,000 inspections and fines worth 12 million euros had been collected.

Turning to the agricultural sector, Mitsotakis said a series of legislative initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting Greek agricultural products had been taken. These come amid massive farmers’ discontent and protests that gripped the country last week.

The agricultural interventions included Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and Geographical Indications (GIs), while he also mentioned new inspections planned for olive oil, honey, and fruits and vegetables, in addition to those already in place for milk and feta cheese.

The Prime Minister underscored the government’s commitment to reducing production costs for farmers, noting that 19 technical proposals have been submitted and adopted. He also highlighted the importance of highlighting issues related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and ensuring that farmers are aware of their rights in Europe.

Regarding the healthcare system, Mitsotakis announced renovations for hospitals in Athens, Thessaloniki. In addition, he also mentioned the launch of afternoon surgeries, a bold move, as he said that had been discussed 20 years ago but not implemented until now.

The Cabinet meeting agenda included presentations on various legislative initiatives, including research and development in the Armed Forces, modernizing military education institutions, and establishing a Joint Information Technology Body in the Armed Forces.

Source: tovima.com