Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece in 2023 is stronger than ever in terms of geopolitics, the economy, and society.
"It protects its borders and national dignity, strengthens its alliances, and develops its natural, energy sources, with its collective wealth returning to its society," he added.
Mitsotakis, head of the New Democracy party, made the statements in a written message conveyed to a local chapter of the party in Patras, on the occasion of the cutting of the New Year's cake that Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias attended and spoke at.
In his message, Mitsotakis referred to the national elections coming up at the end of the four-year rule and expressed the certainty that the progress the country had seen should continue into the future with a strong electoral majority.
Meanwhile, speaking to Proto Thema on Sunday, Mitsotakis said that the country will benefit from an independent government emerging after national elections, but if Greek citizens "direct us to a coalition government, we will respect their wishes."
He said that the government's first term was one of reducing taxes, but the second one will be one introducing better wages. The challenge in particular would be raising salaries for civil servants, doctors, and professors.
Mitsotakis also said there will be an initiative to prevent the party of Elias Kassidiaris, former MP of the outlawed Golden Dawn party, from entering Greek Parliament through elections.
The prime minister declined to give a specific date for national elections, reiterating they will be held from April on.
"I have kept my word and exhausted our term," he noted, referring to media reports he might hold snap elections during his four-year tenure.
"I believe we have honored with consistency the mandate to rule by ourselves," the premier noted, and "this gives us more confidence that citizens will trust us once again, this time."
Asked about the government's mistakes, he referred to the issue of evesdropping on PASOK-KINAL leader Nikos Androulakis, and said it was "a clear mistake" that should not have happened, reiterating that he was not aware of the issue.
"In the process, a system weakness was revealed, a framework of surveillance that strayed from its original purpose; individuals assumed their responsibilities and left their positions," he said.
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