Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday highlighted Chevron’s participation in a hydrocarbon exploration tender, new tax relief measures and public transport reforms in his weekly social media post, his first since the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).
Mitsotakis said Chevron, the second-largest U.S. oil company, and Helleniq Energy had bid for four offshore blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese. The partnership, he said, marked “a powerful message of recognition of Greece’s energy and geopolitical importance in the East Mediterranean” and reinforced the country’s sovereign rights in the area.
He noted that Greece’s push to exploit mineral wealth began with legislation passed in 2012–2014 and said his government’s planning since 2020 had helped deliver the current result.
Tax relief
Mitsotakis also defended tax measures announced at TIF, which he said would benefit at least 4 million taxpayers and be worth more than 1.7 billion euros. They add to 1.5 billion euros in permanent interventions already approved in the budget, most of which take effect in November.
He described as unprecedented since the restoration of democracy in 1974 the exemption of people under 25 from income tax, saying it would help them enter the job market or start businesses.
The government has also launched public consultations on reforms including a national high school graduation certificate, an overhaul of the National Health System, an updated land registry and a new energy plan.
Transport and safety
The prime minister cited ongoing changes at the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) to improve passenger safety and noted strong interest from Greek railway staff working abroad in returning home through a new recruitment platform.
He said Athens’ metro, tram and bus network would begin running 24 hours every Saturday, to ease travel for young people and night-shift workers.
Mitsotakis concluded his post by marking the National Remembrance Day for the Genocide of Asia Minor Greeks.