The Member of Parliament of Fthiotida, Mr. Yiannis Oikonomou, met with the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Ms. Sofia Zaharakis and submitted his proposals for dealing with the demographic problem plaguing the country.

Giannis Oikonomou proposed, among other things, to give targeted incentives as a priority for the birth of a second child, to significantly expand the perimeter of the income criteria and to have focused measures per Regional Units, in view of the preparation of the National Action Plan for the demographic.

He has dealt extensively with dealing with the demographic problem, as on his initiative a Cooperation Agreement was signed in Fthiotida – an area particularly affected according to the latest Census – between the Region of Central Greece, the Municipality of Lamia and the Center for Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) ).

Yannis Oikonomou emphasized:

“The demographic crisis, which in some cases – as in Fthiotida in particular – acquires characteristics of demographic collapse, is the biggest problem we face as a society and as a nation.

I discussed this issue with the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Mr. Sofia Zacharakis and the Rector of the University of Piraeus, Professor Michalis Sfakianakis.

The Minister and I discussed the National Demographic Action Plan, which the Government is preparing. I argued that the emphasis of support policies for increasing births should be given to the birth of the 2nd child and even further expand the perimeter of those entitled to financial support policies in relation to today’s data.

I stated my opinion that there should be targeted policies per region – on the model of France – while at the same time I informed the Minister about the Cooperation Pact of the Sterea Region – KEPE – Municipality of Lamia for research and joint actions around demographics. Regarding the activation of this Pact, there will be initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family in the next period.

I asked, in the national demographic plan, that there be sufficient institutional tools to deal with the problem with a holistic approach, since a sustainable and realistic demographic policy does not only go through the necessary policy of increasing births. Balanced development interventions are needed that will attract and keep people in the Region, but also policies to support active aging, as suggested in an excellent study by the University of Piraeus.

In the public debate to deal with our demographic problem, I am present with proposals, actions and initiatives both for Fthiotida and for our Homeland as a whole”.