Marathon debate ends in approval
Lawmakers completed five sessions totaling 66 hours with 250 speakers, including 211 MPs, 31 government members and eight group leaders. President Nikitas Kaklamanis highlighted a 25% time increase for speakers and doubled slots for leaders, crediting rule changes for finishing at 8pm. The budget passed 159-136 on principle, carrying confidence vote weight by tradition.
Mitsotakis announces housing package
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled six measures to boost housing supply and support renters, including refunding two months’ rent for eligible households. These complement ongoing programs addressing the crisis. He also detailed agricultural aid via basic subsidy redistribution, presented by Deputy PM Kostis Hatzidakis with 600 million euros extra for farmers and 160 million for livestock breeders.
Androulakis attacks stagnation narrative
PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis slammed the government for post-crisis stagnation, blocking living standard convergence with Europe and fostering pessimism. He accused it of favoring funds through asset sales and insurance mergers while ignoring broad prosperity. Androulakis pledged political change, tax scale indexation, ENFIA cuts for remote areas and bank profit redirection from dividends to reserves.
Famelos decries cuts and injustice
SYRIZA’s Sokratis Famelos called the budget “mnemonic without memos,” predicting poverty, demographic collapse and rural depopulation. He highlighted 2026-2029 medium-term cuts: -54% environment (-1.2bn), -60% digital transition (-670m), -10% education (-700m), -25% agriculture (-440m). Famelos demanded super-profits tax on energy/banks, DEH public control and full ELGA compensation.
Koutsoumpas blasts class bias
KKE’s Dimitris Koutsoumpas labelled it a “deeply classist” budget taxing workers via 90-95% indirect taxes while sparing shipowners/banks. He tied military spending (7-8bn yearly, 30bn arms to 2036) to NATO, not defense, amid cuts to health/education. Koutsoumpas backed farmers’ blockades and rejected EU anti-people policies.
Charitsis warns of war economy
New Left’s Alexis Charitsis termed it Greece’s first “war budget,” last with Recovery Fund cash before growth collapse. He decried rural collapse, farm protests and low-value investments (tourism/real estate). Charitsis called for wealth tax, 13-hour repeal, scandal probes (wiretaps/Tempi/OPEKEPE) and social/climate prioritization over militarization.
Velopoulos targets oligarchs
Greek Solution’s Kyriakos Velopoulos dubbed it the “frappé-Tzitzis budget,” shielding oligarchs via exemptions while crushing farmers/taxi drivers. He pledged debt relief, tax-free fuels/fertilizers for primary sector and migrant cost cuts (1.5bn). Velopoulos accused social engineering via media and attacked COVID vaccines, Tempe cover-up.
Fiscal reforms and projections
The budget raises the minimum wage in April 2026, hoping to reach €950 in 2027. The current national minimum wage is €880. Pensions will increase without fully clawing back personal differences. These changes aim to improve take-home pay for workers and retirees.
ENFIA property tax drops for small homes, easing burdens on modest owners. Islands gain a 3% VAT cap to support local economies and tourism. Both measures target vulnerable households and remote areas.
Military and police receive special salary boosts costing €620 million. This addresses retention in critical public safety roles. The package strengthens frontline services amid rising demands.
Primary surplus reached €10.3 billion from January to October 2025, exceeding the €7.2 billion target. Revenues forecast hits €73.6 billion for 2026, signaling robust collection.
Source: CNN Greece
Also read: State budget for 2026 vote concludes today
Subscribe to our youtube channel for the latest updates.
