Athens, December 15, 2024 – The Greek Parliament has passed the state budget for 2025, projecting a GDP growth of 2.3% for the upcoming year. This forecast surpasses the 2.2% growth projected for 2024, signaling cautious optimism about the country’s economic trajectory.
The budget was approved with a close vote count: 159 members voted in favor while 139 opposed, out of a total of 298 parliamentary votes.
In a pre-vote address, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underscored the theme of "realism" as central to the budget's formulation. He reassured citizens of the government’s unwavering focus on fiscal discipline, a strategy deemed crucial for preserving the economic gains made after Greece's prolonged debt crisis, which spanned from 2009 to 2018.
Alongside existing measures, the prime minister introduced new initiatives aimed at bolstering support for households and businesses. Central to these initiatives are reforms in the banking sector, which include the elimination of commission fees by Greek banks for public utility bill payments and small interbank transfers. Mitsotakis also committed to fostering greater competition among banks, a move intended to improve interest rates for both deposits and loans.
These reforms and the passed budget reflect the government's strategic efforts to nurture economic stability and growth while providing relief and support to the Greek populace.