“We are putting a brake on the increases in lifetime health contracts, an intervention that concerns 255 thousand holders, because the IOBE index was leading to large increases. We intervene by ensuring insurance credit, the stability of the private insurance system and consumers, who are entitled to enjoy the health services for which they have paid”, emphasized the Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos,

Speaking to OPEN, Mr. Theodorikakos noted that “we will proceed with a new indicator from ELSTAT that is fair and works properly and which will be valid from 1-1-2026. Until then, we sent a message to the insurance companies to go much lower this year.” Answering a question about what will happen if they persist, Mr. Theodorikakos pointed out that the government has proven – as happened with the banks – that it legislates and intervenes whenever necessary.

In this context, he emphasized the need for healthy competition to function, to protect all health policy holders, which are more than 900 thousand, and to have transparency in the market. In particular, regarding the issue of hospitals, the Minister of Development underlined that it is the responsibility of the Competition Commission to decide whether there is a cartel or not in the health sector. “We have asked for the investigation to be completed as soon as possible” he characteristically said and emphasized the strengthening of the public health system which will lead to a reduction in prices in the private sector as well.

Asked about him inflation Mr. Theodorikakos pointed out that “we are fighting hard to de-escalate prices in a difficult environment. As a ministry we are focused on food and staples inflation where we have significant successes. In December, negative food inflation was recorded after many years, the lowest in the EU. “The battle will never stop, just as the battle to develop and improve the standard of living and disposable income of citizens will never stop. We are strengthening competition and investing in the power of consumers by informing them correctly,” the Minister of Development emphasized.

Especially for the oil he said prices would fall as new production comes on the market, after last years disaster in Spain led to big increases.

Regarding the decision to reject the mark Turkaegean from the EU, Mr. Theodorikakos underlined that “we did what we had to, from 2023 a battle was fought in the competent European agency and the rejection decision is a vindication for Greece and proof that this government effectively defends the national interests in all sectors”.