He marked the second government term with his speech at the New Democracy offices and at Political Committee Kyriakos Mitsotakisstressing that 41% of recent elections, “does not equate to a blank check, but to increased responsibility”.

THE Prime Minister he referred to the reforms launched by the ND government, with the aim of improving everyday life, he defined as the main goal the fight against tax evasion, pointing out that the bill for the taxation of self-employed professionals “is not a horizontal regulation”, stressing that “it will not let’s retreat.”

Watch the Prime Minister’s speech:

The prime minister began his speech with a rallying message ahead of the European elections.

“41% does not equate to a blank check, but to increased responsibility. The counter was reset to zero in the elections. Our country records one of the highest growth rates in Europe, reduces unemployment and thus we can support the weakest with 350 million euros”, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized.

Referring to inflation and accuracy he said: “The 350 million will support the weakest. I also said that the country will not go bananas. Checks everywhere with significant fines.”

“Our goal is to boost income with permanent measures, which will remain after this,” the prime minister emphasized.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to Health, confirming the 6,500 recruitments in hospitals.

“The next big bet is the crackdown on tax evasion. The bill provides for a fairer system of taxation of the self-employed. It is not possible for 85% to declare an income of less than 10,000 euros or for the employer to declare less than the employee. It is not a horizontal arrangement. It is an intervention that is profoundly fair. It is an intervention that we will not back down from. These are reforms that may upset some, but will benefit many. And if there is a cost, the government will not hesitate to take it on,” he stressed.

The prime minister pointed out that it is the first meeting “after the double clear victory of the ND in the elections, and added that the faction is rallying for the new battles shaped by the new conditions. He characterized the European elections as a milestone, he pointed out that the ND played a leading role in the country’s entry into Europe and fought to keep it there and noted that “we have healed wounds after the disastrous SYRIZA government”. He briefly mentioned the challenges faced by the government in the first four years, on immigration, precisely the war in Ukraine and the energy boom. “Now we must identify and root out the causes of these wounds. Brave cuts and reforms are our weapon to improve the everyday life of citizens everywhere. Pathogens have strong foundations, but we have the will and the courage to fight, and we have the trust of society as sealed by the elections, expanding the influence of the faction, an unprecedented event in the post-colonial era,” said Mr. Mitsotakis.

He said that the country has reached the investment stage, while unemployment and debt are decreasing, and the country is progressing by increasing public wealth, the dividend of which will go to society. He noted that the weak are being supported with 350 million euros and the support will concern 2,300,000 citizens throughout the territory. In December – as he said – the heating allowance and double the amount for market pass will be paid to the residents of the areas tested by floods, as well as the payment of an aid of 100 to 200 euros to those pensioners who are wronged by the personal difference.

The problem of accuracy remains but we will support our fellow citizens in every way, the country will not become a banana, the controls are multiplying, and they will continue with intensity, said Mr. Mitsotakis, stressing that the government promoted 20 bills aimed at reforms, but also increases in the public sector after 14 years.

He briefly mentioned the government’s work so far with an emphasis on public health, and emphasized that 6,500 new recruitments will be made to the National Health Service. The next step is to fight tax evasion with 10 social justice interventions, and the bill is in consultation, he said, adding that it is not possible for 50% of freelancers to declare zero profit, nor for the employer to show less income than its employees. Also, the gradual abolition of the pretense fee will be done a year earlier, he said and emphasized that the intervention with the bill in question will be bold “from which we will not back down, there may be loopholes that will be taken but the central aim will not change” he said.

The prime minister underlined that “we will not hesitate to bear the cost of the reforms. Our country is getting stronger geopolitically, with the new planes and frigates, and the deterrent fence is being methodically built on our borders, limiting migration flows. We have convinced the EU that it does not mean a single immigration policy without guarding European borders. This security policy is the other side of the country’s strong voice abroad,” he said.

The Prime Minister mentioned 4 points of the national position for the Middle East:

Israel has a right to self-defense after the barbaric attack it received, the hostages must be released.

Israel must react within the framework of international humanitarian law by separating Hamas from the people.

We are deeply concerned about the escalating Israeli response and the heavy civilian casualties.

Definitive solution only with political transcendence with the establishment of two states with mutual recognition.

Referring to the opposition, he said that in SYRIZA they are arguing whether their leader is Trump or Pepe Grillo, and they are playing a “pillow war”, “hiding that this pillow was the creditors’ pledge for the unreliability of Mr. Tsipras”.

PASOK – he said – has a nihilistic reason expecting to take second place, ignoring that the negative policy they are imitating is not ripe fruit but rotten fruit, with outdated slogans.

He called on ND officials not to deal with what is happening on the other bank, he said that “our tasks take on other dimensions, we have the European elections which will be a political contest”.

“The pre-election race will have a factional character and the bet of the ballot box will be complex. The political stability of the country should be maintained and the country should elect leaders with a European orientation. The clear victory of the ND is the answer to both demands. The ND does not has ever wavered about its European choice and knows how to fight battles in Brussels better than anyone. We took on disproportionate political costs and supported the third memorandum, today we can say that we are Europe. The bet is to become Europe in all fields and we will we will win” said Mr. Mitsotakis.

Finally, he praised the work of Pavlos Marinakis as Secretary of the party’s EP, who toured the country many times during his tenure, while the EP was renewed by 75%.

The party will be the main pillar on which the government will rest. As long as the ND remains united, it has nothing to fear from anyone,” said Mr. Mitsotakis and called on Mr. Marinakis to hand over the baton, asking for the unanimous election of Maria Syregela, “who for the first time takes over the reins of the PE. It will meet the challenges of the time. Come Sirengela, but don’t come with me. This didn’t turn out well” Mr. Mitsotakis joked closing his speech.