“Regardless of the small-minded criticism of the opposition, citizens appreciate our interventions both for the low pensioners and free medicines, as well as the satisfaction of the standing request of the men and women of the Security forces and the Armed Forces in relation to the hazard allowance. Things are too clear to be clouded by any small-minded opposition criticism». This was noted by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis in his intervention today in the Parliament in the debate on the bill of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport “Arestructure the railway sector and strengthen transport regulatory bodies».

Talking about the interventions concerning the abolition of the participation of 132,000 low pensioners in medicinesMr. Hatzidakis explained that this initiative comes in order to ensure equality for all pensioners, both those who retired before the abolition of EKAS and those who retired afterwards and would potentially be entitled to EKAS. “I think it is a regulation of common sense and social justice and that is why I say I imagine it will be voted for by the opposition parties as wellhe said.

Additionally, speaking of “allowance of special working conditions and dangerousness» height 100 euros which will be received by 153,240 members of the Armed Forcesof ELAS, the Coast Guard and the Fire Brigade reminded that it is a decades-old request that is now being satisfied. As he explained, the start was placed in July 2025 taking into account the country’s financial capabilities and emphasized that it is “a move due to the guards of our homeland. And against those who protect the citizen night and day and we are proud to bring this provision to vote”.

Holistic approach to banks

Presenting the interventions for the banks, Mr. Hatzidakis noted that, among other things, the relevant amendment provides:

  • THE zero or the reduction of commissions of the most common transactions that will reduce by 150 million euros per year the relevant revenues of the banks (estimated at 350 – 400 million per year). He also noted that the entry into force of the measure on January 20-21, one month after its passing and its publication in the Official Gazette, is done in order to adapt the IT systems of the banks.
  • Strengthening competition in the financial system by removing restrictions on financing by credit companies. Thus, these companies, as is done in other European countries and under the control of the Bank of Greece, will be able to give all kinds of business loans. “This is a real reform because it strengthens competition. In the first case, it is a response to an attitude of the banks that, as the people say, were ripping us off. In the second case, it is a reform that strengthens competition,” he said.
  • The doubling of the ENFIA for empty apartments and single-family houses owned by banks and servicers, so that they can be channeled into the market. The goal, said Mr. Hatzidakis, is to promote the faster availability of these properties on the market, in order to strengthen the offer of available properties and to control price increases in the market.

In addition, he recalled that after relevant consultation, it was agreed to be given by the banks:

  • 100 million for the Agency for the Acquisition and Re-leasing of Real Estate even if the relevant tender is declared barren in order to provide a solution to the housing needs of vulnerable debtors who are led to bankruptcy or forced execution of a deed.
  • 100 million also in the “Marietta Giannakou” program for the reconstruction of schools.

Mr. Hatzidakis underlined that this is a holistic approach of the government in relation to the banks that comes as a continuation of previous government interventions such as:

  • The initiative for the IRIS system used by 3.5 million citizens, especially young people with zero fees for doing business with each other and very low fees for freelancers.
  • The initiative to reduce last April by 50% the commissions paid by professionals for small transactions in banks on and on cards. Now, the limit of €10 is expanded to €20 which, as noted by Mr. Hatzidakis make up about half of the transactions made numerically with cards.

Finally, the minister mentioned:

  • In the two-month extension for the Golden Visa and only for specific cases: An extension is given until the end of February for cases where the process has progressed and matured and in which there are still some bureaucratic delays in order not to cancel the investments.
  • In the extension of the ENFIA exemption for the fire victims of Attica where it is also extended for the year 2025.
  • On the presentation until March 31, 2025 of the work of the Committee for the Out-of-court Resolution of Tax Disputes: As he explained, based on the provisions of the Code of Tax Procedure, this Committee was replaced and now this last extension is provided in order to be able to complete the pending cases that it had begun to consider .