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K. Mitsotakis: Very soon the announcements for the national support plan

The Prime Minister sent a message for the continuous support of the citizens in the face of the energy crisis, during the cabinet meeting.

The new national support program for the aftermath of the war and the imported energy “explosion” will also be announced very soon. in our country, unfortunately, are still low, as a result of ten years of economic adventure, it is something that, obviously, we are particularly concerned about, which is why, in view of European decisions, we are developing and launching, as we have done for several months “Our national actions. And the support of incomes is our main priority”, stressed Mr. Mitsotakis

The full proposal of the Prime Minister to the Council of Ministers is as follows:

Good morning and happy birthday to all.

In our last digital meeting, because as the last restrictions of the pandemic are gradually lifted, the next Council of Ministers -after more than two years- will be held with the physical presence of its members.

Today, however, is taking place in the shadow of the new Russian blackmails with the peak of gas circulation. I do not have much to say. As far as we are concerned, only two comments: first, the country’s energy adequacy is fully guaranteed and second, the country’s gas supplies will be made in such a way as not to violate the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia. If necessary, we will then have a more detailed discussion with the intervention of the Minister of Energy.

It is well known that we are already assisting our friend, neighbor Bulgaria, while on Tuesday, together with other Balkan leaders, I will be in Alexandroupolis at the new Liquefied Gas storage and gasification terminal, a very important infrastructure project which, in combination with other initiatives, in less than 20 months will have enabled us to fully diversify our gas supply sources, not only in our country but also in the entire Balkan Peninsula.

Greece, therefore, is quickly and very methodically transformed into an energy hub of the region, but at the same time a strategic gateway for the entry of energy resources to Southeastern Europe as a whole.

The new national support program for the consequences of the war and the imported energy “explosion” will also be announced very soon. I know very well that this imported precision besieges households and businesses, while I have never stopped emphasizing that wages in our country, unfortunately, are still low, as a result of ten years of economic adventure. It’s something we’re obviously worried about. That is why, in view of European decisions, we are developing and launching, as we have done for several months, our own national actions. And income support is our top priority.

From Monday – as we have already announced – the minimum wage, the basic wage, increases by 50 euros per month. From 663 euros it goes to 713 euros. Combined with the first installment, in January, it is an increase of 9.7% compared to the minimum wage of 2021, well above inflation. Essentially we give employees who are paid the minimum wage an additional 15th salary a year.

It is a very significant increase, a move to support lower incomes. A message that the state stands by our low-wage citizens and a fair way to distribute the development dividend to all our fellow citizens.

Accordingly, of course, the unemployment benefit increases, as does the entire wage scale. Also, let me remind you that in June there is a new reduction of employers’ contributions. And I strongly insist – and I want you to do the same – on our specific policies, because I consider them the hallmarks of our social policy. They do not provide solutions to the needs of all citizens, but they demonstrate our systematic effort to do our best within the framework of the budgetary constraints that the country has.

These are, obviously, measures that are followed by other reliefs, in parallel with subsidies for electricity and fuel. These are responsive measures, considering that in just 48 hours, more than half a million of our fellow citizens have joined the Fuel Pass digital platform.

I will say it again: these are measures that do not cover all increases, but mitigate losses from price increases. Because this battle with the pan-European crisis is unequal and eventually a pan-European response will be needed.

At the national level, however, we are building our own embankments. And let us not forget that price inflation is by no means treated as “impression inflation”. But only with choices that are prudent and effective.

I therefore close this brief reference to current affairs with the assurance that the government will stand by every citizen for as long as it takes. Without ever hiding the obstacles of the times, always speaking the language of truth, but exhausting the margins of support of society.

“We feel, we try, we act”: these are three verbs that must permeate our daily lives. The first topic of the Council of Ministers will be a detailed presentation by the Minister of Finance on the performance of the Greek economy in 2022, which will give us all a better impression and a better picture of the real margins we have at our disposal for pursuit of such policies.

We have a rich agenda in the Council of Ministers, we have 11 issues. I would like to mention two very important ones. The first solves a problem that has plagued the country since 1929. No law so far has been able to regulate it. I am referring to the complex issue of public real estate which has been violated from time to time. We are talking about 90,000 cases, about 92% of the public properties that have been made for decades, houses, estates, professional roofs of citizens. They will now be able to redeem them, restoring their ownership status, while boosting public revenues with the price and property transfer taxes. And all this, of course, always in full compliance with environmental constraints.

There are, however, other social challenges of the modern age, such as the thorny issue that concerns too many women, too many couples: the issue of assisted reproduction. It is an extremely sensitive issue and with the new and extremely innovative bill of the Ministry of Health, it is modernized in our country, based on modern developments, the framework that governs assisted reproduction. For example, the age limit of women who choose this method is increasing, an official genetic material bank is established. Most of all, however, the new regulations cure dozens of malfunctions that were recorded at various stages of this critical process and afflicted women and couples who chose assisted reproduction in order to start a family.

As you can see, we have a lot to say and even more to do, at a time when the opposition is sometimes dealing with myths of catastrophe and sometimes with fairy tales, starring kings, princes, dragons. Neither the lie nor the ridiculousness – you see – has limits.

But a lot of work awaits us, for the problems that concern all aspects of society. I hope you all gained strength in the few free days we had, the days of Lambri. We renewed our stamina, so in the “happy birthday” I should add the “good strength”, to start our meeting.

Source: Capital

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