The climate crisis is a priority for the government with the aim of strengthening prevention, said Mr. Marinakis in the political editors briefing.

Inflation in Greece is at a lower level than that of Europe, while food inflation and interventions to reduce it are among the government’s priorities, the government representative emphasized.

The absorption of the NSRF increased, Greece is consistently in the four positions in Europe and as far as the NSRF ΄21 and ΄27 is concerned, Greece is in the first absorption position. The aim is regional development but also the strengthening of newly established businesses, said Mr. Marinakis.

When asked about the issue of OAKA, Mr. Marinakis stated that the control was ultimately not self-evident and the government that revealed the problem is being abandoned.

With reference to the wiretapping case and in relation to publications concerning the reasons for which Nikos Androulakis had been placed under surveillance, the government representative replied that the issue is being investigated by the judiciary and we await the conclusions of the judiciary.

Asked about Mr. Beo, Mr. Marinakis replied that the conviction for Mr. Beo’s handiwork was made from the first moment. Mr. Kasselakis is asking for something false, for the prime minister to withdraw the support he has not given to Mr. Beo. SYRIZA continues on the same toxic path. Mr. Marinakis reiterated that ND supports candidates in the regions and those of the three large municipalities.

Watch Live the briefing of the political editors by the government representative, Pavlos Marinakis.

The entire opening statement of Mr. Marinakis:

The draft state budget for 2024 is being submitted to Parliament today.

The budget has included all the measures announced before the election to be implemented in 2023 and all the measures announced at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition by the Prime Minister.

Everything that will be presented in detail by the political leadership of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance is carried out without deviating the country from its fiscal goals.

The increase in the salaries of civil servants, the lifting of the three-year freeze for employees, the increase in the tax-free allowance for families with children, the increase in the minimum guaranteed income, the new increase in pensions, but also investment resources amounting to 12.1 billion. Euros through the Public Investment Program and the Recovery and Resilience Fund expected to flow into the economy within 2024 will significantly increase citizens’ disposable income, which was our key pre-election commitment and our highest priority.

The 2024 budget is the first in thirteen years to be drawn up with the country having regained its investment grade, a result of our stable, prudent and effective fiscal policy.

However, apart from this important success of our country, this budget was drawn up just a few days after the unprecedented natural disasters that hit our country. With the climate crisis now -unfortunately- a part of our lives, it is a priority to shield the country against extreme natural phenomena through the creation of more resilient infrastructure, the strengthening of civil protection and prevention.

Inflation, although decelerating, continues to remain high internationally. Despite the unstable global environment, the Greek economy remains resilient. Eurozone inflation stood at 4.3% in September, while for Greece at 2.4%, according to Eurostat’s preliminary data.

Food inflation remains an important issue, which, although at high levels, is decreasing. We all understand that the biggest problem of the citizens is accuracy and for this reason the Government continues to support the citizens with permanent interventions aimed at increasing the disposable income of the citizens. Permanent interventions are also the most important because they are the ones that will remain even when the crises are gone.

The Government is intensifying its efforts for the optimal utilization of every European resource for the benefit of the economy and society.

In this direction, the absorption of the 2014-2020 NSRF funds was tripled in the period 2019-2023.

We received absorption at 24.5% and now we are at 88%, as a result of which Greece remains firmly in the top 3 positions of the European Union for the last 4 years.

By the end of the program period, all the expenses incurred will have been registered and certified, resulting in the completion of the 2014-2020 NSRF Programs at approximately 100%.

Regarding the 2021 – 2027 NSRF, totaling 26.5 billion, Greece is in 1st place in the European Union in the absorption of resources.

The Government’s goal is strong regional development and in this direction the 13 Regions of the country are being strengthened with 8.1 billion Euros of funding compared to 5.9 billion Euros they had received from the NSRF 2014-2020.

Particular emphasis is placed on the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises and the awarding of investment projects of young people.

In this context, within the month, two new invitations will be published, one for start-ups in tourism and one for the general entrepreneurship of start-ups.

Finally, in the framework of the revision of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0”, there is provision for 686 million euros in projects for the reconstruction of the affected areas in Evros and Thessaly.

I would also like to emphasize the commitment of the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, to inform the public on a quarterly basis regarding the progress of the utilization of European resources.

12,213 pieces of counterfeit products were identified, seized and destroyed following an inspection carried out by the Inter-Service Market Control Unit (DIMEA) at a business in Attica.

In addition to the confiscation of the counterfeit products, a fine of €100,000 was imposed on the company.

Inspections are proceeding throughout the territory. Phenomena of unjustified profits, virtual discounts and violation of the law will not be tolerated.

Thanks to the contribution of ELAS, an episode of fan violence was prevented in Nea Ionia. Yesterday, Sunday, shortly before the start of a football match, 87 people were brought in, including 62 minors.

These persons were brought – as the case may be – for forming and participating in a criminal organization, for violating the laws on sports, weapons, drugs and for disturbing the public peace and will be brought to the competent prosecuting authority.

In addition, two squatter evacuation operations were carried out by the Greek Police on Saturday. The first concerned the premises of the School of Chemical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens, while the second was in a building in Heraklion, Crete, which belongs to the University of Crete. The spaces were assigned to representatives of the University Institutions.

The observance and implementation of the law, the safety of citizens, the limitation of violence and, above all, the assurance of legality in all fields, are non-negotiable for the Government. In every neighborhood, inside and outside the stadiums, inside and outside the universities. We must stay true to our commitments to citizens and we will continue to do so. However, we also owe a thank you to all the police officers who are in the field every day and work for the implementation of the law and the safety of citizens.

The third payment of first aid was made on Friday, through the arogi.gov.gr platform. This payment of a total amount of 2.5 million Euros concerned 575 beneficiaries. A total of 11.1 million euros were paid out last week. And in total, so far, 36.7 million euros have been paid to 6,648 beneficiaries.

It is worth noting that the payment of first aid to businesses also began, following the information that the Ministry of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis received from the Region of Thessaly.

The State Aid Committees of the Regions of Thessaly and Central Greece continue the work of autopsies for the businesses that were affected, with a total of 5,524 applications and 3,383 autopsies as of Thursday.

Regarding the compensations for the flooding phenomena caused by the intense bad weather ELIAS, the competent Deputy Minister, Mr. Triandopoulos, emphasized that the state aid scheme for those affected will continue.

At the same time, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and the Ministry of National Economy and Finance decided to extend the Minimum Guaranteed Income and the housing allowance for up to three months, to the residents of the Thessaly Region affected by the bad weather Daniel, through the Organization of Social Solidarity Welfare Benefits (OPECA).

We are on the side of the citizens faced with the consequences of the unprecedented disasters that hit our country and especially the regions of Thessaly.

No fellow citizen will be left helpless. Everyone will receive the help and support they need to get back on their feet and rebuild together what was destroyed by the extreme events.

As we have already announced today, the Prime Minister will visit Corinth on Monday, October 2, where he will tour together with the candidate Regional Governor of Peloponnese, Dimitris Ptochos.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 3, the Prime Minister will visit the building complex inside Elliniko, which will function as a Care Center for Persons with Disabilities, which will house four disabled associations.

On Wednesday, October 4, the Prime Minister will go to Kozani and Thessaloniki, where, among other things, he will attend the signing of the contract for the use of the Thessaloniki Metro, while on Thursday, October 5, he will go to Granada, where he will participate in the European Political Community Summit and the Informal European Council.