The goal of our government, in the new four-year period, is to create a reform wave so that Greece can spectacularly reduce inequalities and the distance from the rest of Europe, emphasized during the discussion of the government’s program statements, the Minister of State Akis Skertsos. We want Greece to enter into a dynamic development of the economy, investments, wages, the functioning of the state, security, health, education, rights and the rule of law. Let’s all become collectively and individually better, said Mr. Skertsos and added: Greece can become a better society for women, young people, people with disabilities, LGBTI people, for those who live in remote areas, for the elderly, for every population group that experiences daily, smaller or bigger inequalities and obstacles, that does not have the same rights, does not have the same opportunities, to become the best version of what they dream of and what they can.

He even listed ten reform packages that “we are committed to implementing over the next four years” and that respond to real problems.

First reform: Generalized use of electronic transactions, digital checks and crossings, interconnection of cash registers with AADE, electronic shipping slip and invoice. The aim is to expand the tax base, to tackle tax evasion. The reduction, obviously, of the rates and indirect taxes. But first the tax base must be expanded, first the revenues from direct taxation must be increased and then we go to the reduction of the tax rates of indirect taxation. It is primarily a matter of Justice.

Second reform: Redesigning the Health map with a focus on strengthening primary health and care. Reconfiguration of EKAB services, digitization of services, with an electronic platform for planning surgeries, linking the recruitment of doctors and nurses with the needs of each region and region, synergies between the private and state sectors, without burdening the insured. This does not constitute privatization. It is a matter of Public Health and access to it.

Third reform: New judicial map, strengthening of human resources, with modernization of building infrastructure, with digitization of procedures. The goal is to speed up the awarding of Law so that we reach the European average in terms of the time it takes to issue decisions by 2027. It is a matter of justice and the rule of law.

Wednesday reform: Evaluation, target setting, rewarding with monetary bonuses, training of 400,000 public employees as well as teachers, with systematization and tightening but also acceleration of disciplinary procedures. Acceleration of recruitment in the public sector with the reorganization of ASEP. Professional relevance and experience are at the top of the criteria for the selection of administrations in public organizations. It is simply a question of meritocracy and respect for citizens.

Fifth reform: Universal use of the digital work card in all sectors of the economy to control undeclared work. Digital interconnection and interoperability of the information systems of Ergani, EFKA, OPECA, YDIKA, DYPA, AADE for better cross-checks regarding undeclared employment. It is a question of protecting work and better targeting social benefits to those who really need them.

Sixth reform: Completion of the cadastral register and special urban planning plans throughout the country. This is a matter of environmental protection, sustainable development and better organization of public space.

Seventh reform. Reform of the framework of public contracts with the aim of speeding up tenders, reducing direct assignments, saving resources from framework agreements. This is a matter of good stewardship of taxpayers’ money.

Eighth reform: Modern and safe public transport with European rail, reliable urban transport within the next four years, with new metro lines, additional safety valves for all public transport, with a renewal of the bus fleet with 650 new vehicles of zero so by the beginning of 2024, but also another 650 of anti-pollution technology, because this is a matter of social cohesion and respect for the right to social mobility.

Ninth reform: National strategy to support young people, the Greek family and working parents. By extending the hours of schools and kindergartens, by using public property for social housing, affordable housing for young people, and for new couples, to cover the needs of civil servants in islands and semi-urban areas. Because this is a matter of intergenerational solidarity.

Tenth reform: Special support and empowerment policies for vulnerable social groups, victims of domestic violence as well as psychosocial support for children and adolescents suffering from modern mental illnesses. Psychiatric reform, creation of mental counseling and care structures throughout the territory with the resources of the Recovery Fund. Expanding rights through our LGBTI+ community strategy. Because this is a question of social cohesion, equality, equal participation in what we call a common homeland.

Finally, Mr. Skertsos said that the renewal of citizens’ trust, this important capital that the new Mitsotakis government has, must be invested with even greater determination, transparency, accountability in the reforms that will ensure dynamic growth and sustainable prosperity for all and not just for a few. With respect to the rule of law with strengthening of institutional countermeasures. The dynamic and coherent progress, the radical and inclusive modernization of the country is a national project, said the Minister of State: This is what we served in the previous years, this is what the new government of the new Republic under Kyriakos Mitsotakis will serve in the next four years, with even greater determination and tough work, for a Greece that will be more productive, more social, fairer, greener, more digital and stronger, said Mr. Skertsos, calling on the MPs to vote on the government’s program statements.