By Penelope Galliou

The thread of government work from where it left off before the summer break in August, is picked up again today by the Council of Ministers, which meets at 11 a.m. at Megaros Maximos under the Prime Minister, marking the beginning of the new “political season”.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his introductory speech, is expected to re-underline the guidelines that characterize government policy, in view of his well-established presence at the TIF on September 7 and 8, where he is expected to unfold the government’s economic program and the targeted “breathers” which will be given to specific social groups always based on the country’s fiscal capabilities, without jeopardizing or disrupting stability.

The Prime Minister’s instructions to his Ministers are expected to focus on the need to speed up and make government work more efficient, in all sectors, with particular emphasis on promoting reforms and everyday life, which continues to be at the top of the government’s priorities.

“Work and promote reforms to address the problems that concern citizens” Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to urge – according to government sources. The stamp of priorities, not only for Thessaloniki but for every corner of Greece, was given by the Prime Minister already yesterday, from Thessaloniki, referring to the infrastructure projects that will improve the life of the city’s residents, from the “long-suffering” subway to be delivered on November 30 to the completion of the ring road flyover by spring 2027, which are part of the government’s regional development strategy.

The legislative project that will be discussed today in the Council of Ministers also has developmental potential, starting with the bill proposed by the Ministers of Finance Kostis Hatzidakis and Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, on the incentives for innovation and business mergers, which will include, among other things, tax incentives and additional financial incentives for mergers and innovation from the NSRF and the Development Bank.

In particular, further support is provided for investment by companies that are the product of a merger, so that these companies have additional means for growth and innovation.

Deputy Minister of Finance Nikos Papathanasis will inform about the progress of the actions of the Recovery and Resilience Fund, a matter that “burns” the government for the promotion of projects and liquidity in the market.

The bill that will be presented by the Minister of Justice, George Floridis, has a strong social connotation and concerns the treatment of domestic violence. A bill with supporting provisions that would more specifically define the framework for the judicial development of a case related to domestic violence.

The agenda of the Council of Ministers in detail:

Briefing by the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis on the progress of the actions of the Recovery and Resilience Fund,

-Presentation by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis and the Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos of the bill on incentives for innovation and business mergers,

-Presentation by the Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos of the legislative initiatives: a) Incorporation of Directive 2022/2464 on the submission of sustainability reports, b) Fundraising bill,

-Presentation by the Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis of the bill for the reorganization of the Headquarters and Staff Services of the Hellenic Police and the upgrading of the Police Academy,

-Presentation by the Minister of Justice, George Floridis, of the bill to deal with domestic violence,

-Presentation by the Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou of the bill for the integration of Directive 2022/2555 to achieve a high level of cyber security,

-Proposal by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis and the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras regarding the provision of authorization for the signing of the concession agreement for financing, operation, maintenance and exploitation of the Attica Road.