Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced his intention to seek re-election in 2027 during a comprehensive interview marking the inauguration of the Thessaloniki Metro. He also stated that announcements regarding the next President of the Republic will be made in January, and expressed confidence in achieving the government's minimum and average wage targets. On Greek-Turkish relations, Mitsotakis affirmed that Greece's sovereign rights are non-negotiable and that he will not tolerate questions about his patriotism.
Key points from the interview include:
- Thessaloniki Metro: Mitsotakis expressed pride in the completion of the complex Thessaloniki Metro project, particularly the Venizelou station with its integrated archaeological exhibits. He defended the decision to remove and reinstate the antiquities as the only technically feasible solution. He dismissed concerns about potential vandalism and expressed confidence that the public would embrace the new metro system. He also outlined further development plans for Thessaloniki, including improvements to public transport, a new highway bypass, a children's hospital, redevelopment of the fairgrounds and waterfront, and investment in logistics and technology.
- Response to Threats: Mitsotakis confirmed that threats made by the president of Aris Thessaloniki FC were reported to the prosecutor's office on his orders, and reiterated that the government will not be subject to intimidation. He highlighted improvements in stadium safety and security measures.
- Parthenon Marbles: Mitsotakis expressed optimism about the eventual return of the Parthenon Marbles, emphasizing the ongoing dialogue with the British Museum. He stressed the importance of broader Greek-British relations, including defense and political cooperation.
- Relations with Albania: Mitsotakis acknowledged the challenges in the relationship with Albania, particularly concerning the Greek minority. He emphasized Greece's support for Albania's EU accession, contingent upon respect for minority rights, and highlighted Greece's leverage in this process.
- Relations with North Macedonia: Mitsotakis expressed concern over North Macedonia's backtracking on the Prespa Agreement, specifically regarding the consistent use of the country's name. He expects a clear commitment from North Macedonia's leadership to uphold the agreement.
- Greek-Turkish Relations: Mitsotakis defended his government's dialogue with Turkey, emphasizing Greece's position of strength. He acknowledged the impasse on maritime boundary delimitation while emphasizing that other issues raised by Turkey are not up for discussion. He remains open to cooperation on other areas, even while disagreeing on core issues. He reiterated that Greece has no claims against Turkey, but seeks to resolve the maritime boundary issue according to international law.