“We are not going to back down, whatever the political cost” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis points out regarding the OPEKEPE scandal in his weekly, comprehensive post.

As far as energy is concerned, “in the critical field of our energy autonomy and geopolitical security in the Eastern Mediterranean region. And now officially, after the signing of the relevant ministerial decision, the Chevron – Helleniq Energy joint venture was declared the preferred investor for the exploration of hydrocarbons in 4 marine plots south of Crete and the Peloponnese, in an area of ​​approximately 47,000 square kilometers. The process is “running” faster than initial estimates, which means we are moving fast. The signing of the exploration and exploitation contracts will follow, then the file will be sent to the Court of Audit for pre-contractual review and, if approved, the Lease Contracts will be signed which will be put up for ratification by the Parliament.

“Unexpectedly, within 2026 seismic surveys are expected to begin in the specific sea areas. The confirmation of natural gas deposits by the American giant will transform Greece to Europe’s alternative energy supplierstrengthening its position and role in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” the prime minister points out.

The Prime Minister’s post in detail

“Saint Demetrius today! Great celebration, happy birthday to the celebrants and the celebrants. Happy birthday to our Thessaloniki, which today celebrates its patron saint, but also its liberation from the Ottoman yoke. The great strides of our Nation have always been made through unity and faith in our strengths. We still need this patriotism of responsibility that unites, not divides.

This was also a week where health was in focus. Three new state-of-the-art life units are coming to strengthen the overall capabilities of the NHS: the upgraded Onassios Cardiac Surgery Center, the new National Transplantation Center and the Onassios Children’s Hospital, which were implemented with the help of the Onassis Foundation. The new transplant unit opens a new horizon of hope as it expands the scope of operations to gradually carry out transplants for all vital organs. It is very important that heart and lung transplants in young children will be able to take place here. While the first pediatric liver transplant program in the country will soon be developed, giving a solution to young patients and their parents, who until now had recourse to centers abroad. An increase in transplants means more lives saved. Now that the proper infrastructure is in place, along with the new regulatory framework for organ donation, greater social awareness is needed. The world, it is true, is responding to the campaign of the Ministry of Health and the National Transplantation Center: already, within 20 days, 50,000 life donors have been added. Anyone who wishes can register in no time through the new platform https://www.gov.gr/…/phakel…/delose-doreas-organon-iston.

Another example of strengthening the NSS is the hiring of another 158 lifeguards in the EKAB to cover permanent positions. They were sworn in a few days ago and immediately entered the “battle”. In the last 1.5 years alone, we have announced 538 permanent positions, while in the last three months, 426 auxiliary staff joined the EKAB family, of which 329 are ambulance crews. We recognize the daily struggle they fight to help and save lives. That is why we continue the effort to cover the gaps and deficiencies that we know exist, but also to adapt the EMS to the new data: with a new fleet, modern training protocols and digital tools that make the operation faster and more efficient.

To come to the significant success of the so-called Greek FBI, the owhich managed to dismantle a ring allegedly involved in systematic, large-scale fraud with subsidies from OPEKEPE, from 2018 to 2022. After a coordinated operation in Thessaloniki, Pella, Ioannina, Attica and Crete, 37 people were arrested. Most of those arrested are not farmers or producers, while the money they allegedly collected illegally reaches 5 million euros, maybe even more. The investigations of the Greek police authorities had started long before there was an order from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the two investigations eventually “meeting” on the same persons. The case has already been referred to Justice and of course the investigations continue, as everything shows that the network of those involved is even bigger. I already remind you that thanks to the investigations of the Economic Crime Directorate, more than 1,000 people have been charged illegal aid of 22 million euros. We will not back down, whatever the political cost, until all those who received illegal aid are exposed and punished. I again ask for the understanding of the rural world. Payments have started and will continue in the coming weeks.

As regards the compensations for the killing of sheep and goats due to smallpox, 40 million euros have already been allocated and another 12 million euros have been approved, which will be allocated based on the lists sent by the Regions. Furthermore, at least 46 million euros have been approved and will be made available in the next few days to cover the needs of the breeders who were forced to limit their animals due to the quarantine. The protection of animal production is crucial for the economy and the Greek countryside. Prevention and compliance with biosecurity measures are crucial, which is why we are establishing a National Scientific Committee for the Management and Control of Smallpox, with experts to deal with the zoonotic disease. Our aim is to keep Greek livestock farming safe.

Having said that, it’s worth mentioning the work of the Financial Crime Directorate which this week marks 1 year of operation. When we announced its establishment, there was no lack of those who treated it with skepticism. But the results of this first year are impressive and disprove any naysayers. The Service has handled 719 cases, dismantled 139 criminal organizations and groups, and filed a case file against 2,540 perpetrators, of which 1,792 were arrested and approximately 600 were remanded in custody. Most cases involve drug trafficking, followed by property crimes and fraud. Large quantities of weapons, drugs, anabolics, chemical solvents, contraband fuel, tobacco, alcohol, as well as ancient objects and works of art were also seized. We promise that the Service will be further strengthened, both with personnel and with technological tools, so that there are even better results.

I continue with the process of utilizing all the financial tools, based on the official data presented by the competent Minister. The Public Investment Development Program for 2025, with resources of 14.6 billion euros (the largest budget in the last 15 years), has already been implemented by 93.6% for the national and co-financed leg and by 110% for the Recovery and Resilience Fund. Through the TAA, 855 projects are implemented, a performance that keeps us in the first positions among the 27 EU in the absorption of resources. In the NSRF 2021–2027, the invitations amount to 81% and the accepted amounts to 72.4% of the total budget. The Development Bank has already supported tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises with loans totaling 13.7 billion euros. At the same time, important PPP projects are progressing, such as the new irrigation projects in Thessaly and Thrace, amounting to almost 500 million euros, with eight other projects to follow. Our goal is clear: not to lose a single euro, to invest every resource in actions that support entrepreneurship, improve infrastructure and create good jobs.

I single out, among the projects that are progressing, those that concern Justice. Three major programs are already underway, to give our courts the infrastructure they deserve, from Piraeus and the Council of State, to the Courts of Evelpidon and dozens of courthouses in the Region. At the same time, projects are implemented with national funds in municipalities throughout the country, from Veria and Lesbos to Rethymno and Leipsos. Smaller projects perhaps, but equally important for the everyday life of citizens: gyms, renovations, energy upgrades, road construction, as well as housing for civil servants.
Still a little news from the economic front: our tourism is on a record trajectory this year. According to the data of the Bank of Greece, almost 26 million travelers visited the country in the first eight months of 2025, over 1 million more than in the corresponding period last year. This is an increase of 4.1%, not including all cruise ship arrivals. Even better is the picture on the receipts front, which shows that visitors are spending more money, directly supporting the economy and local communities. In August alone, travel receipts exceeded 4.5 billion euros, while in eight months they reached 16.7 billion.

According to the Ministry of Finance, direct foreign investments in our country already reached, within the first 8 months of 2025, a historical record, exceeding 8 billion euros. Within 6 years we have a total of more investments than were made in the previous 20 years. And what matters is not only the size, but also the type of these investments. We’re not just talking about real estate, but manufacturing and industry, new technologies, financial services, value-creating activities and good jobs. Greece is no longer considered a “toxic” economy, as it once was. It is a country that inspires confidence and perspective. And that’s a win-win for everyone.

Before I close for today, I want to dwell on North Evia and the “North Evia Pass 2025”, an action that effectively supports a region that has been tested, but not bent. On the vouchers.gov.gr platform, those who wish can submit an application to obtain an immaterial digital card to travel, stay, eat and move in the municipalities of Istiaea-Edipsos and Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna. More than 5,500 beneficiaries will benefit from this facility, without income criteria. The platform will remain open until Wednesday, and the selection will be made, as always, by lottery.

Last Sunday of October. This month “took away” our great songwriter, Dionysis Savvopoulos. But, in a way, Nyonios will always be here. “The value of life is to be able to surpass yourself. To share it with others, to make something nice.” He did this all his life. He transcended himself, the times, the stereotypes, and made something beautiful, for all of us. With his songs we grew up, with his words we thought, with his look we understood that Greece can be both tender and thoughtful and honest. You don’t say goodbye easily to a person who has been with you for so many years. You just carry him inside you.

And I am sure that Dionysis would agree and be happy that the Greek state will honor another of our leading composers, Manos Hadjidakis, by declaring 2026 as a year dedicated to the composer on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. A due recognition to the rich work of the penetrating creator, who taught Culture not only with his talent, but by opposing vulgar populism with his free spirit and his profound education. With these thoughts I bid you farewell. Happy Sunday!”