By Dora Antoniou

The completion of the parades yesterday without any problems was received with relief by the government, as in the previous days there was a prevailing concern about the possibility of some provocation to the Constitution, in the wake of the amendment for the Unknown Soldier or dynamic reactions in rural areas by protesting farmers over the delays in aid and compensation payments.

The calm also extends to the front between Megaros Maximos and Nikos Dendias, after the tensions of the previous week, and in this case centered on the amendment for the Unknown Soldier. Yesterday, the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, chose Thessaloniki to watch the military parade and had a meeting with Mr. Dendias. This afternoon he will attend the unveiling ceremony of the new bioclimatic face of the central building of the Ministry of National Defense, where the presences and absences are eagerly awaited for the political messages they will send.

For the government, the next day brings old and new challenges to the fore. First off, the Unknown Soldier-centric front still requires attention. From today, the planning of the police for guarding the monument will unfold in order to achieve the implementation of what the new legislative framework provides. “The law will be enforced. We have confidence in the Greek Police. The Greek Police have a specific plan. No one will be exempt,” Pavlos Marinakis said the day before yesterday. The police plan for the permanent guarding of the site is expected to unfold from today.

At the same time, the cabinet under the prime minister is meeting today. High on the agenda is the topic of OPEKEPE, as there will be a presentation by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Kostis Hatzidakis, the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis and the Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras, of the legislative initiatives for the reform of the National Payments Organization and the transition from the Payments Organization & Control of Community Aid Guidance & Guarantees at the Independent Public Revenue Authority.

It essentially concerns the Organization’s transition plan to AADE, which is also connected to the changes requested by the Commission in the action plan submitted by the government last August. The deadline for Athens to submit the updated plan is next Tuesday, November 4, so time is running out. The government hopes that with the changes that have been incorporated, the plan will be accepted so that it becomes possible by November 30 to pay the advance payment of the 2025 basic aid and by the end of the year to legislate the transfer of OPEKEPE’s responsibilities to AADE.

There is an effervescence in the ranks of the peasants. The Prime Minister in his regular weekly review on Sunday asked for the understanding of the farming world, saying that payments have started and will continue in the coming weeks. However, the delays in the payment of aid and compensation and the inability to effectively deal with goat and sheep pox have intensified the pressure on farmers and breeders, who decided last week to proceed with mobilizations and the organization of a rally in the Syntagma on November 11.