Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking in Parliament on the 2025 Budget Draft, emphasized that it combines fiscal stability, pro-growth policies and social support measures.
Hatzidakis highlighted that the 2025 Budget includes 12 different salary increases and 12 tax cuts for taxpayers. “The Budget confirms that our economy is growing steadily and at a faster pace than the EU average. It reflects the ongoing decline in unemployment, which has seen a significant drop over the past five years, and outlines a continued rapid reduction in public debt,” he said. Despite global challenges, Hatzidakis noted, “the Greek economy remains on a growth trajectory and will continue to outperform the eurozone average.” To support his claims, he submitted a series of Eurostat and OECD data on key economic indicators. Regarding Greece’s production model, he said, “It is gradually changing, as the composition of GDP shifts in favor of investments and exports, with a stronger industrial presence.” In response to opposition criticism, Hatzidakis stressed that the projected revenue increase will come not from higher taxes but from economic growth, the crackdown on tax evasion, and rising wages. He also reassured that the full abolition of the Trade Levy in 2025 will include freelance workers. Addressing inflation in food prices, the minister acknowledged it as the world’s most pressing issue but predicted, based on available data, that “a de-escalation is expected.”