Pierrakakis in Parliament discussion: 2026 state budget will benefit 4 mln citizens

The draft state budget of 2026 is "the maximum that can be done, based on the budgetary capacities of this country," National Economy & Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakis told the Economic Affairs Committee of Parliament during the first of two days of debate on the new bill.

"Is this enough?" he asked. "I reply that the only way to make [this document] more adequate is to systematically continue on this path," the FinMin said, recalling where the Greek economy was in 2019 and how far it has come. Pierrakakis added that there is a lot that needs to be done still, "citizens that must be supported, a society that must be supported even more, especially where it hurts, as it hurts in places. But tell me, what is the alternative in fixing this? To face these [issues] directly, and continuously do a much better job."

Referring to the 2026 draft budget, Pierrakakis said that the Greek economy is expected to continue to exhibit a significantly higher growth rate than the eurozone average for a sixth consecutive year, including 2025. The new regulations will reduce taxes for workers, pensioners, farmers, and freelance business owners, he said, affecting over 4 million citizens. Measures in local interventions and those for the housing issue will benefit over 1 million citizens, he added.

"I will neve claim that Greece is an economic paradise. But whoever claims that Greece is hell must be living elsewhere. Anything we discuss with European institutions right now, the first thing our partners say there is 'congratulations for the management you have achieved.' This, while many other European countries are facing problems right now," the FinMin said.