PM Mitsotakis: All applications to 'Exikonomo 2023' considered 'selectable in principle'

He noted that the programme was one of the government's most popular actions and that, given the high level of interest, the government had increased its budget to 422 million euros, up from 300 million euros.

Along with wishes for the New Year, he stressed that the government's goals remain unchanged and focused on "significant reforms that will improve the daily life of each citizen and make our country...more Europe!".

The prime minister also referred to the four new measures unveiled during the past week to fight high prices, which he said was the most pressing concern of households at present and a top government priority.

Among them he listed the cap on gross profits for infant formula, a policy of restricting supplier special discounts so that 'base' prices for goods resembled those in other European countries, imposing transparent prices for perishable agricultural goods and more intensive market inspections.

"These are part of the effort we are making to correct chronically skewed commercial practices, with the aim of protecting consumers and the efficient operation of competition in their favour," he said, adding: "We will employ every useful tool for creating a barrier to 'greedflation'. It cannot and will not be tolerated."

Mitsotakis said that flagship legislation to introduce postal voting, speed up the delivery of justice and reform higher education, including allowing private, non-profit universities, will be tabled in Parliament within January. In addition to these, he added, the cabinet has approved other equally important legislative initiatives, such as the "Konstantinos Doxiadis" programme for updating town planning rules.

He also highlighted plans to reorganise the Greek railways in collaboration with the European Union, with the formation of a new single organisation to oversee activities now spread between several entities.

Mitsotakis went on to welcome the good news on unemployment in November, which remained below 10 pct, noted changes designed to help unemployed persons belonging to vulnerable groups, and the introduction of the digital labour card in more sectors of the economy.

Referring to the new electricity bill system, the prime minister appeared confident that it will work in the consumers' favour and said it had already led to lower prices compared with January 2023, with greater transparency in tariffs. He also referred to measures to introduce mandatory insurance against natural disasters, starting with large businesses, as a response to climate change.

He welcomed the ever-increasing pace of digitisation in the public sector, noting that this exceeded one service a day, and that the addition of 38 services in December raised the total of digital services offered by the government portal to 1638.

He also referred to the issue of same-sex marriage, repeating that his goal was not to divide society but "recognise legally a reality that exists in our country" and already applied in 20 European countries and 36 countries throughout the world.

Mitsotakis concluded with a reference to tourism and the programme "Tourism for All 2024", as well as the addition of new attractions to the list of Greek destinations with the opening of the restored Royal Palace of Philip II in northern Greece to the public.