Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has used the final Cabinet meeting of 2025 to send a blunt message to protesting farmers, declaring the government will not govern under "blackmail" while unveiling a sweeping reform and investment agenda for the coming year.
"The farmers sent their messages; the state responded within the limits of the economy," Mr. Mitsotakis said, signaling an end to concessions after tractor blockades disrupted holiday travel.
The meeting served as a launchpad for an ambitious 2026 roadmap centered on the economy, public safety, and artificial intelligence.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis confirmed that ministers outlined 60 major reforms and 40 flagship projects to be delivered next year.
Economic and Defense Milestones
Vice President Kostis Hatzidakis highlighted 2025 as a year of fiscal discipline, citing early repayment of bailout loans that saved €1.6 billion ($1.7 billion) and a reduction in unemployment to a 17-year low.
Looking to 2026, the government prioritized the delivery of two additional Belharra-class frigates and upgrades to the F-16 fighter fleet.
Infrastructure targets include completing the E65 highway and extending the Thessaloniki metro to Kalamaria.
Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis introduced legislation to create a Unified Digital Registry for Monitoring Corruption Cases.
The system will track investigations from start to finish, sharing real-time data among prosecutors, police, and tax authorities to speed up prosecutions and meet European Union transparency standards.
Citing a "new fire-climate reality," Climate Crisis Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis outlined a major overhaul of disaster response.
The bill emphasizes prevention through controlled burns, expanded arson investigation units, and increased use of drones to cut reaction times before the next wildfire season.
AI and Modernization
Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou presented guidelines for integrating artificial intelligence across ministries.
The 2026 plan includes launching Greece’s first "AI factory" and rolling out AI-powered traffic enforcement cameras to modernize public safety.