Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has inaugurated the Skouries copper and gold mine, using his fifth trip to northern Greece in two months to ask voters for a majority government providing quick decisions and complete accountabilit in next year's elections.
The mine, run by Hellas Gold, a subsidiary of Canadian company Eldorado Gold, was long stalled by local opposition and political fights.
Mr. Mitsotakis said the previous 2017 government, "sunk in its obsessions," had made progress prohibitive. First production was expected this year.
In the village of Arnaia, Mr. Mitsotakis repeated a pledge to help with heating costs through two measures: a lower pump price and a higher heating allowance.
He told fishermen the government would "exhaust the possibilities" to help them stay competitive, and promised to take up the sector's problems personally, with announcements in coming days.
Agriculture Minister Margaritis Schinas, who lived in Arnaia for his first six years and is an honorary citizen, later met fishing representatives.
The trip is part of a push to strengthen the government's presence in Macedonia, where New Democracy has lost ground since the 2023 election and is losing votes to parties on its right. Greek Solution, led by Kyriakos Velopoulos, took 13.8% in the last European elections, and Niki 6.9%.
Halkidiki is also the site of a rivalry inside the party.
Lawmaker Giannis Giorgos, who won his seat in 2023 by just 86 votes, is expected to face again Grigoris Tasios, president of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation.
Lawyer Nikos Bloskas is rumored as a candidate. Reports also point to activity in the region by figures close to former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who is said to be weighing a new party.