A new institutional framework for the utilization of public property and a further reduction of non-salary costs from 2025 was announced by the Minister of National Economy and Finance during the budget debate

“The triptych, on which the State Budget of 2024 is based, is firstly, fiscal seriousness, that is, we only give what we can afford and nothing more! Second, growth. In 2023, Greece records the 3rd highest increase in investments in the Eurozone. While 2024 is predicted to record the largest increase in investment in the Eurozone. Foreign Direct Investments, in net terms, reached a twenty-year record in 2022, reaching €8 billion. While in exports we have an increase of 5.7% this year, compared to 2022, the highest increase in the Eurozone according to the Commission. In other words, our country now has faster growth rates and we will continue to rise naturally, even more! Third, social cohesion. We have an increase in the grant to hospitals by 481 million euros, and an increase in the budget of the Ministry of Education by 255 million euros. from 2019 until today, spending on Education (15.7%), insurance funds (16.4%), DYPA (40%), Health (46.5%), hospitals (97, 9%). And so we are determined to continue!”

This was pointed out by the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking today in the Plenary of the Parliament, in the debate on the sanctioning of the 2024 budget.

As Mr. Hatzidakis said, “the 2024 Budget “builds” on the positive steps and achievements of the previous four years, with the aim of an even more dynamic path for the Greek Economy. In 2024 we will proceed with basically the same recipe, accelerating our pace and reforms even more. Combining fiscal stability with the implementation of development policies, introducing bold reforms and demonstrating social sensitivity in practice.”

The minister stressed that in an unfavorable international situation, the Greek economy is considered by international analysts as an economy with positive prospects for the coming years, which is due to 3 factors: the government’s steadfast insistence on a line of fiscal seriousness, the rumored reduction taxes and contributions and the simplification of the investment environment as well as that “the international economic community knows that we have a modern European government that combines the right mix of economic policy with government stability”.

Mr. Hatzidakis also thanked the New Democracy MPs who, as he said: “Since 2019, they have continuously supported the efforts of the Governments of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Even through several difficult choices. Choices that some analysts may have seen as having political costs. But they are certainly of great benefit to our country!”

Mr. Hatzidakis presented the data recognized by all international organizations regarding the progress of the Greek economy, which, as he said, resoundingly refute the claims of the opposition. He referred in particular to the rise of investments, exports, the reduction of both public and private debt, inflation, the decline of unemployment combined with the improvement of wages, the increase of incomes.

And he emphasized that in 2024 the Greek Economy will be called upon to respond to seven individual important challenges, which at the same time constitute the seven main economic policy priorities of the Government.

These priorities are:

– The maintenance of the resilience of the Greek Economy by unwavering achievement of the fiscal goals, further improvement of the creditworthiness and further de-escalation of the public debt.
– The further strengthening of competitiveness and the corresponding increase in investments with a further reduction of non-wage costs from 2025, an even more robust banking system and utilization of European investment resources from the NSRF and the Recovery Fund.
-The further strengthening of extroversion, with the aim of increasing exports to 60% of GDP by 2027, and to 70% by 2030.
– The limitation of tax evasion with 11 different initiatives already adopted by the Parliament. As Mr. Hatzidakis noted: “The connection of the POS with the cash registers will take place in the first months of the year. We are not discussing it and there will be no discounts. For fuel smuggling, the strictest legislation ever was passed and will be implemented. With what this means for the obligations of the oil companies and even more so for the smuggling rings.’
-The more efficient use of Public Property with a new legislative framework for the Superfund that will include flexibility rules for its subsidiaries, reward rules for employees, acceleration of procedures and rules for greater speeds as well as for attracting competent executives from the private sector. Also, with the creation of a National Investment Fund to support investments in cutting-edge technologies and the green and digital transition.
– The increase in the disposable income of citizens, with increases in pensions and salaries in the Public and Private sectors, in the Minimum Guaranteed Income, disability benefits and tax-free for families with children.
-Strengthening social cohesion by increasing the grant to hospitals by 481 million euros, and increasing the budget of the Ministry of Education by 255 million euros.

“In an unprecedented period, the Government of New Democracy has proven that it can create conditions for dynamic, durable and fair development. Working systematically and persistently. By turning a deaf ear to the sirens of populism, economic irrationality, retrogression”, underlined Mr. Hatzidakis and concluded:

“Citizens’ expectations are high. Both these and the experience of the last decade do not allow us to let the progress of recent years be lost.

We will not relax for a moment the effort we started for a more dynamic, extroverted and sustainable economy, in a Greece that is moving forward.

This is our patriotic duty, the minimum obligation towards our fellow citizens. And we are here, all of us, together with the Government of the New Democracy, to make the obligation and the promise a reality.”