Marinakis: Bill on sports fan violence 'should find us all united and on the same side'

Greece has clearly expressed its position on the need for a comprehensive approach to the mid-term revision of the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis told reporters during Thursday, adding: "In other words, a package deal that doesn't only include assistance to Ukraine but also increased funds for migration and for natural disasters."

Marinakis began the press briefing by referring to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' participation in the Special European Council, where the Greek prime minister expressed confidence that EU leaders will reach agreement, as well as voicing Athens' support for a delay in EU fallow land rules. The spokesperson also repeated the prime minister's pledge to farmers, that the government will do everything that Greece's fiscal capabilities allow to support the primary sector.

The spokesperson said a draft bill on curbing fan violence in sports was expected to pass with cross-party support and a large majority in Parliament on Thursday, while he also referred to an announcement by Alternate Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis that accepted the main opposition's proposal to establish February 1 as National Sports Fan Day.

Marinakis reported that technical inspection teams have been set up and visited the 14 Super League stadiums to record any requirements or weaknesses, pointing out that the new law regulates issues such as the operation of sports fan associations, electronic surveillance systems in sports facilities, controlling the entry of fans into stadiums, fines and penalties for transgressions and matters relating to committees for dealing with sports violence.

"This issue should find us all united and on the same side - state, citizens, sports officials - so that we expel criminal elements from professional sports," he said.

The spokesperson next tackled a second round of financial support for flood-stricken farmers in Thessaly and other regions, announced by the prime minister, to be handed out as an advance against the final compensation paid for damage to crops, land and farming equipment. He noted that these farmers will additionally benefit from a two-year suspension of payments of their electricity bills, to be followed by a five-year settlement of both current and older debts at zero interest. "Altogether, a seven-year measure that will reach completion in 2030," he added.

Commenting on farmer protests, he said it was a phenomenon caused by inflation that affected all of Europe and stressed that the government will steadfastly support farmers to the extent that public finances allow.

This would be possible because "the Greek economy is now more resilient, better protected, with growth prospects that are reflected in the daily life of citizens," Marinakis said. "Greece is now becoming news because of the good developments for its economy. We issued a 10-year bond of four billion euros, the biggest since 2010, for which we received the most bids of up to 35 billion euros, and now we can borrow at a lower rate of 3.5%, with the lowest spread relative to Germany," he told reporters.

"The restoration of confidence in our country, the recovery of investment grade and a prudent fiscal policy to which we are committed and are implementing, ensure a lower cost of borrowing and benefits that extend to the market and support Greek citizens," Marinakis said.

All this made the government confident about the economy and about meeting its commitment to continue directly and indirectly increasing incomes, he added, including by unfreezing public-sector salaries, raising the minimum wage and unlocking private-sector pay rises, lowering taxes, paying more benefits and passing measures to restrict high prices. He pointed out that new laws increasing the minimum wage, to go into effect on April 1, were being discussed in Parliament.

Marinakis next referred to a unified list of surgeries that was launched on Thursday with the aim of decreasing waiting times for operations in state hospitals. He said that this was one of a series of reforms in health that seek to improve healthcare services. He also commented on the inauguration of the Aktio-Amvrakia motorway, which he said would improve the country's road network on several levels.

He concluded by announcing that the prime minister will be answering a question tabled by the head of the "Nea Aristera" Parliamentary Group, Alexis Charitsis, in Parliament at 11:00 on Friday regarding restitution to the victims of Storm Daniel floods in Thessaly and elsewhere, while on February 9, Mitsotakis will reply to a question on the housing crisis tabled by opposition PASOK-KINAL leader Nikos Androulakis.