\n<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis said the extension of the Thessaloniki Metro to Kalamaria marks another major step in a project that had remained unfinished for four decades.<\/p>\n
After the main Metro line was delivered in 2024, the latest extension adds five new stations and 4.78 kilometres of track, bringing the network to almost 15 kilometres.<\/p>\n
The fully automated system will connect Mikra with the New Railway Station in around 25 minutes. The extension is expected to generate approximately 63,000 additional daily boardings and remove an estimated 12,000 cars from Thessaloniki\u2019s roads each day, with environmental benefits for the city.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis stressed that Kalamaria is not the final stage, saying preparatory work and preliminary studies for extensions towards western Thessaloniki have already begun.<\/p>\n
He also pointed to a series of other major projects, including the redevelopment of the Thessaloniki International Fair site into a 120-acre metropolitan park, the planned redevelopment of the Railway Station, 600 new parking spaces on public land, the redevelopment of the Agios Menas complex, the archaeological site at Toumba Hill, new green and sports facilities, and a new 2,000-seat indoor stadium at Aristotle University.<\/p>\n
The government is also assigning the Organisation for the Protection of the Thermaic Gulf exclusive responsibility for cleaning the Thermaic Gulf.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis also highlighted developments in Western Macedonia, a region undergoing a major economic transition following the decline of lignite.<\/p>\n
During visits to Florina and Kozani, he pointed to the new SETHYA unit of PPC at Kardia and said PPC is implementing an investment programme worth \u20ac5.75 billion in Western Macedonia through 2030.<\/p>\n
Large photovoltaic parks are already operating on former lignite sites, while projects involving energy storage, green hydrogen and a planned Mega Data Center at Agios Dimitrios are also progressing.<\/p>\n
The projects are expected to generate more than 1,800 jobs during construction and around 700 permanent positions once operational, with the Data Center potentially creating additional employment.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis acknowledged that the transition will not be easy, stressing that Western Macedonia is moving away from an economic model that shaped the region for decades.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister also marked the end of the implementation period of Greece\u2019s Recovery and Resilience Plan, \u201cGreece 2.0.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Mitsotakis, the programme ultimately exceeded its original economic targets. GDP growth was estimated at 11 percentage points compared with an initial projection of seven, while approximately 550,000 jobs were created against an initial target of 180,000. Investment also increased by 60%, compared with the original target of 20%.<\/p>\n
He argued that the programme\u2019s most important legacy was not simply its funding, but the reforms it delivered.<\/p>\n
Among them, he cited the digitalisation of the state, the connection of cash registers and POS systems, VAT reductions, the Digital Work Card, faster judicial procedures, completion of the Land Registry, the green and energy transition, and upgrades in healthcare and education.<\/p>\n
With the Recovery Fund entering its final phase, Mitsotakis said Greece is moving towards the next major European funding mechanism, the Social Climate Fund.<\/p>\n
The European Commission has approved Greece\u2019s national plan, worth \u20ac5.3 billion including VAT through 2032, making it one of the first national plans approved and, according to Mitsotakis, the largest so far in terms of resources.<\/p>\n
The 25 planned interventions are expected to benefit around 1.5 million households and 70,000 very small businesses.<\/p>\n
From 2026, measures will include social housing, energy upgrades for small businesses, social leasing for electric vehicles and 211 new electric buses for Athens and Thessaloniki.<\/p>\n
From 2027, further measures will target home energy upgrades, heating, student accommodation and accessible mobility for people with disabilities, alongside investment in cleaner and more accessible public transport.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis said the payment of new widow\u2019s pensions was completed this week following the legislative amendment announced in July to permanently abolish cuts linked to the Katrougalos-Tsipras law.<\/p>\n
More than 8,500 beneficiaries have had their pensions restored, while approximately 75,000 pensioners will not be required to repay retroactive amounts.<\/p>\n
A further 122,000 people receiving two national pensions, as well as children who have lost both parents, remain protected under the arrangements.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister also announced that measures aimed at reducing prices on basic consumer goods will begin on Monday.<\/p>\n
The reductions, covering food, everyday necessities and school supplies, will range between 5% and 7% for periods of two to four months.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis acknowledged that the measures cannot resolve all pressures on household budgets but said they would provide tangible relief as families prepare for the new school year.<\/p>\n
The government has made 5,259 new permanent teacher appointments, including 1,421 in special education, while around 36,000 substitute teachers are expected to be appointed.<\/p>\n
The \u201cMarietta Giannakou\u201d school renovation programme has now upgraded 669 schools, with studies for another 500 schools expected to begin in September.<\/p>\n
New Experimental and Special Schools are also being created, while Innovation Centres will increase from 13 to 18.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis said school curricula are also being updated to better connect classroom knowledge with the demands of modern life.<\/p>\n
School cafeterias will also face new nutritional requirements from the new school year. Only products included on the approved list and meeting specific nutritional standards will be allowed, with greater emphasis on fruit, dairy products without added sugar and healthier sandwiches. Soft drinks and other less healthy snacks will be excluded.<\/p>\n
Applications for the government\u2019s \u201cPersonal Assistant\u201d programme for people with disabilities opened on August 26.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis said the programme has now been made permanent nationwide, with more than 2,000 Personal Assistants currently participating.<\/p>\n
Special arrangements are also planned for mountainous and island municipalities.<\/p>\n
Applications will remain open until November 27 through the official Personal Assistant platform.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis also announced that the third and final Special Spatial Planning framework, covering industry, has now been completed and entered into force, replacing the previous framework introduced in 2008.<\/p>\n
The new framework is intended to provide clearer rules on where industrial companies, logistics centres and data centres can be established.<\/p>\n
It strengthens organised industrial areas and business parks while providing dedicated locations for newer activities, including recycling and high-tech infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The framework also takes into account environmental protection, transport connections and risks linked to floods, fires and earthquakes.<\/p>\n
According to Mitsotakis, the aim is to allow investment to move faster while reducing its environmental impact and potential disruption to local communities.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister concluded by saying he would remain in Athens next week, meaning his regular weekly review would not be published, while hinting that an \u201cinteresting weekend\u201d lies ahead.<\/p>\n