9 answers to questions we put to the president of the New Democracy Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr. President, a major concern for young people and their parents is the continuing migration of Greeks of higher and higher education. You have also made this issue a priority. How do you plan to reverse the climate and return Greek scientists recognised abroad to our country?
It is indeed a huge plague, with heavy social and economic costs. There is a way to reverse it: New and better jobs in our country. We will achieve this by attracting investment and creating well-paid jobs. And I think that what will mark more than anything else the success of the next
government is reversing this trend. Greece should not expel its children but give them opportunities to work and prosper in our country. And I would like to take your question as an opportunity to say that Greeks living abroad are not second-class citizens.It is the duty of the Greek state to facilitate the right of the Greek people to live abroad.
to vote in their place of residence. It is one of the first bills that the next government will bring in.
After years of crisis, we all hope that with planning, organisation and vision we will move forward at a fast pace. What will be your main priorities for development in Greece and what will be your priorities?
We should already be running at high growth rates. In 2014 Greece was coming out of the crisis and the forecasts were extremely positive. Unfortunately, we have turned back, at great cost and at the loss of valuable time. Every year we fall behind in growth rates, despite the fact that the potential of the Greek economy is very great. Instead of the weak current growth we should be running at at least 4% a year. That will be our goal. And we will achieve it by changing the policy mix. Instead of the current over-taxation that is crushing middle-class incomes and stifling growth, we will move to a drastic reduction in tax rates. From 29% to 20% corporate tax, a 30% reduction in ENFIA, a reduction in dividends and the introduction of an introductory rate of 9% for incomes below 10,000 euros. We will also move to reduce insurance
contributions for the self-employed so that there is a reasonable ratio between income and tax contributions. At the same time, we will remove all bureaucratic obstacles so that investments that will bring growth and new jobs to the country can proceed more quickly. With this new policy mix the growth button will be pushed for good.
We note that in recent years there have been intensified relations our neighbouring countries, such as Turkey, while in other countries we have In other cases, such as on the issue of the Prespa Agreement, there have been concessions that need to be addressed. How do you intend to deal with similar issues?
Greece is a country that respects the rules of good neighbourliness and international law. Our country’s entire foreign policy for decades has been based on the doctrine of strict respect for international treaties. And this is the message we are sending in every direction. Greece does not cede its sovereign rights and does not accept any violation of international law. As far as the Prespa Agreement is concerned, it is nationally damaging and has hurt the Greeks. We had warned the citizens in good time and with great sincerity
and the Parliament on what the options are after the ratification of the agreement. Our priority is to mitigate the impact of this agreement. To protect the Macedonian products affected by the agreement. And above all, to establish internationally the Greekness of the term Macedonia. To promote the real Macedonia, which is an integral part of the Greek historical and cultural heritage. All this will take time in a long process during which Greece will retain the right to use all its diplomatic weapons in relation to its neighbour’s European course.
Increasingly, crime and crime in general is affecting the sense of security of Greeks. Will you elaborate on the New Democracy’s plan to tackle crime?
Instilling a sense of security in our homes and neighbourhoods is an inalienable right of every citizen of this country. Unfortunately, the ideologies of another era often prevented the
police to do its job as it knows how and as it should. This ends. For us, security is a precondition for democracy. We will show less tolerance for the delinquency of each tier. We will reinforce the Zeus team and re-establish the “DELTA” team. We will tackle litter of all kinds in many parts of the country. And we will make universities safe for students and teachers again by removing the criminal gangs from them. And I am sure that in this effort we will have the ally of Greek society, which considers security and respect for the rule of law as its inalienable right.
Tourism is a key pillar of the country’s development. How can Greece improve its tourism industry?
Our goal is to make Greece the number one tourist destination in the world. And I firmly believe that we can do it. The people of tourism in our country make
excellent work, but they certainly need more support from the central government. A first step will be to reduce taxes to make the tourism sector more competitive
package in Greece. Our intention is, as soon as there is budgetary room, to abolish or at least reduce the overnight stay fee. While in the long term we aim to
the introduction of two VAT rates on catering and accommodation at 11% and 22%. It is also necessary to proceed with important infrastructure projects that will improve access to our country and facilitate the development of some forms of tourism. For example, vertical roads in Northern Greece or the modernisation of our ports to gain a bigger share of the cruise industry. While emphasis should also be placed on the development of alternative forms of tourism, in order to extend the tourist season in terms of time and to as many regions of the country as possible. And of course to encourage synergies with the cultural and agri-food sector, so that the tourism product in our country is as broad as possible.
Once upon a time in many parts of the country, especially in the North Greece, crafts and industries were flourishing, the vast majority of the majority of which have been closed or relocated to the overseas. Do you believe that the secondary can be resurrected sector? If so, in what ways?
He must be resurrected. It is absolutely key to the overall development of our economy. Manufacturing in our country is around 13.5% while the Eurozone average is close to 20%. This is a problem because the industrial sector, the manufacturing sector as a whole, adds value to the economy by bringing in technology, exporting, creating sustainable jobs. Especially in Northern Greece, its natural resources, human resources and strategic location are strong advantages that should be exploited.
With our plan we want to achieve a sustainable increase in industrial production. Move towards more specialised products and move towards dynamically growing
markets. At the same time, we will encourage the creation of domestic production clusters, as well as industrial and technology parks that will significantly help the technology sectors.
And of course we will help businesses to cope and grow by reducing non-wage costs and improving the regulatory environment.
Bureaucracy for years in Greece slows down the growth, drives away investment and causes corruption, phenomena of interference. How do you intend to deal with the this perennial problem?
It is a big battle that we will fight and we will win. I have already announced the creation of a Ministry of Digital Governance, which will undertake to modernise, unify and upgrade all the procedures related to the service of citizens. Through the new website we will create, citizens will be able to download all the documents they want and implement a large number of procedures to avoid direct transactions with public services. At the same time, as far as investments are concerned, a special office will be set up which will report directly to the Prime Minister and will approve the large investment projects that the country needs with rapid procedures. Greece has no more time to lose. We have to run to make up for lost ground and for Greece to enter a new era of creation. Unemployment more broadly and the growing trend towards part-time work has distorted the social fabric, creating dozens of parallel problems from its long upward trend. Entrepreneurs are afraid to hire and
develop in the absence of tax or other incentives.
What is the roadmap for the reduction of unemployment by the Southwest?
We don’t just want new jobs, we want better jobs. Not just 300-400 euro part-time jobs, as is the case today. But with better pay, better working conditions and full respect for workers’ labour rights. A good businessman is one who has satisfied employees. How do we reduce unemployment? With new investments. And investment will come when we address the key factors that prevent it. The bureaucracy, the overtaxation, the lack of
wage costs. By reducing these, you increase jobs. That’s what we will do and soon Greece will be a much better and more optimistic country that will give opportunities to its children.
Would you like to send a message to our readers?
In recent years, Greeks have had a difficult time. But the cycle of deception, of economic bleeding, of division, of arrogance, is closing. It is time to move forward. With lower taxes, more and better jobs, security for all. That is what I promise to do and I will keep my word. Give me the strength to build a brighter Greece. United we will succeed.
