“I see some people are surprised by the “democratic” procedures in SYRIZA. Those of us who know them and especially those of us who have learned about them from the universities are not surprised at all” commented the government representative Pavlos Marinakis during the political editors briefing, answering a question about what happened on Saturday at the Central Committee and the exclusion of Stefanos Kasselakis from the race for the party presidency.

Re-election Androulakis

Regarding the re-election of Nikos Androulakis at the helm of PASOK, the government representative said that “such procedures can only be read positively by all the other parties, I congratulate Mr. Nikos Androulakis and on behalf of the government, as the Prime Minister did by phone” said Pavlos Marinakis and added that “a meeting between Mitsotakis and Androulakis is imminent which remains to be arranged between the offices”, saying about the phone call “I imagine the atmosphere was positive”.

However, he added that “after a long cycle the face has not changed, it remains to be seen if the policies have changed, it remains to be seen if PASOK will formulate a costed alternative proposal”.

Declarations of Latinopoulos

Pavlos Marinakis described Aphrodite Latinopoulou’s comments that Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a “left-wing psycho” as “reality from previous decades” and said that she officially belongs to the extreme right given the Eurogroup she chose to join.

“It is a critical period that we are going through and not only in terms of the issues that concern the citizens but also in general in terms of geopolitics in order to have politicians whose rhetoric and aversions refer to the reality of previous decades,” pointed out characteristically the government respondent for statements of Mrs. Latinopoulou.

“It is a more serious matter but in any case it is their right to use such expressions. As for whether Ms. Latinopoulou can tell us who the ND is, I consider it excessive because after her election to the European Parliament, Ms. Latinopoulou did not choose to join the European People’s Party, not even Ms. Meloni’s party, but went and joined with Orban and Le Pen. Mrs. Latinopoulou officially belongs to the European extreme right. Now how can a member of the European extreme right tell us who the ND is and who is not, I don’t know how it can happen”.

He added that because there is a lot of discussion about immigration and he hears criticism from far-right parties outside of Greece about immigration, “we prefer the path of responsibility and results, that is, politician Mitsotakis reduces the number of residents in the country by 85% from 90,000 and something it went to 21,000 and out of 130 structures we have 33 structures, the ones proposed by Mrs. Latinopoulou and her co-conspirators who together have this Eurogroup if applied by Greece, besides that they will have no effect, Greece is effectively placed outside of Europe, let’s read a little what is planned and let them also see the results of the country and talk with residents mainly of the islands of the eastern Aegean”.

Means of Transport

Regarding the means of transport, Mr. Marinakis said that 35 new commuter buses were delivered to traffic today, while by the end of October another 20 will have been delivered.

“For the first time since 2009, the urban transportation fleet is being renewed, with the aim of better serving the passenger public, on the 270 bus lines of the OASA Transportation Network. From May 2024, 140 new electric buses joined the O.S. Y., to meet the transportation needs in central areas of Athens and Piraeus, as well as in their neighboring municipalities. In addition, from August 26, 2024, the gradual integration of the first 130 new buses, covering peri-urban routes, began. In total, 250 new buses are currently circulating on the roads of Attica. By the summer of 2025, an additional 681 buses are expected, so that by next June, a total of 951 new, modern buses, with anti-pollution technology, with a low floor and fully accessible for all citizens, will be in circulation,” he said characteristically.

The renewal of the bus fleet and the increase of routes is a big bet for the sustainability of mobility within the urban fabric, but it is, at the same time, an important step in our overall plan to improve the everyday life of citizens. As the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Christos Staikouras stated: “The new vehicles offer better and more quality services to the passenger public and ensure accessibility to all our fellow citizens.”

Military schools

He emphasized that a joint action framework for attracting young people to military schools was presented by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

First interventions include:

  • The possibility of admission from 3 Scientific Fields and from EPAL at a rate of 10%.
  • The increase in the salaries of Military School students to 609 euros per month.
  • The provision of academic identity to all students in the Military Schools.
  • The improvement of building facilities and equipment.
  • The new possibilities for research, specialization and development in the framework of the 2030 Agenda.
  • conducting an information campaign for the student population.

He emphasized that the possibility of strengthening the human resources of the Armed Forces with new officers is of key importance for the country, as the Minister of National Defense Mr. Dendias also emphasized, while this package of measures is not just an “educational but mainly a national issue”, as said the Minister of Education Mr. Pierrakakis.

“Greece has been upgraded diplomatically and defensively in the last five years. It effectively shields its borders and strengthens its defenses with modern weapon systems. However, the existence of qualified potential in the Armed Forces of our country is equally important. The measures announced by the co-competent ministries are aimed at the gradual resolution of this critical issue,” noted Mr. Marinakis.

Health

He pointed out that in the framework of the strengthening of the medical staff of the country’s hospitals, the decision was signed to announce 298 positions of qualified doctors in the field of general medicine. of various grades and specialties for the country’s hospitals and the EKAV.

“In recent years, important steps have been taken, in terms of increasing the staff of the Hospitals of the E.S.Y., as well as for the creation of a more attractive and sustainable environment for health professionals. With the implementation of incentives, such as the increase in fees, the increase in the compensation of on-calls, their independent taxation and the possibility of private work, as well as the recent financial incentives established for NHS doctors serving in troubled and barren areas, the chances of new doctor positions are increasing to be covered. The goal of the Government is to improve the health services provided for the citizens, without delays, but also to contribute to the sacred function of doctors and health professionals”.

He mentioned that the sending of informative SMS to the beneficiaries of the National Program for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer has started with the initiative of the Ministries of Health and Digital Governance. In particular, more than 1.4 million SMS were sent to citizens aged 50-69 for the supply of free self-tests from pharmacies cooperating with the Ministry for this specific action. Beneficiaries must be AMKA holders without the need to be insured. In case of a positive result of the self-Test, the beneficiaries can visit a Gastroenterologist for a clinical evaluation and then, if necessary, proceed with diagnostic tests. Furthermore, as part of the “Prevent” Prevention Program, SMS continues to be sent to the beneficiaries of the National Program for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. Already, over 1.4 million women have received online referrals for a Pap test (for women aged 21-29) or for a molecular HPV DNA test (for women aged 30-65).

Mr. Marinakis pointed out that the Recovery and Resilience Fund, one of the most important tools for the creation of which Greece and the Prime Minister played a leading role, enables us to acquire important preventive medicine programs that save lives. Already, through the “Fofi Gennimata” breast cancer screening program, thousands of women have been able to diagnose the disease at an early stage and begin immediate treatment, winning their own battle.

“Contracts worth 11.7 million euros were signed for the energy upgrade and renovation of 9 Health Centers in the 1st Health Region. In particular, the contracts signed concern the Health Centers of Kallithea, Chalandrio, Ilioupoli, Kerameikos, Zografou, Plateia Attica, Neo Kosmou and Nea Ionia. The Project is implemented within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” with the co-financing of the European Union. The overall upgrade of the National Health System is a central pillar of the Government’s policy. As the Deputy Minister of Health Irini Agapidaki emphasized, “Primary health care is entering a new era, as for the first time we are undertaking such important interventions in Health Centers of the country. Our goal is to ensure quality health services for all citizens, through modern, energetically upgraded structures”, underlined Mr. Marinakis.

Housing

At the same time, he stated that applications have begun within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Athens for participation in the house renovation program – which will then be made available for rent to households that are in precarious housing or in a state of homelessness.

The program “Social housing for the most vulnerable groups” implemented by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens has a total funding of 1 million euros from the resources of the National Recovery and Reconstruction Plan “Greece 2.0” and subsidizes the renovation of a total of seventy of residences. Their owners will be subsidized with up to 10,055 euros to renovate their apartment, which they will rent out for at least four years.

The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharaki emphasized: “The reduction of inequalities, social cohesion and practical support of vulnerable households are for the government and our ministry a necessary condition when we talk about development.”

Mitsotakis will be in Brussels on Wednesday

The government representative said that on Wednesday, October 16, the Prime Minister will travel to Brussels, where he will participate in the work of the first European Union – Gulf Cooperation Council Summit. On October 17 and 18, the Prime Minister will participate in the work of the European Council.