Government braces for pivotal month

With Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government having dealt its strongest card by raising the minimum wage, the government is entering a particularly critical – if not precarious – month against the backdrop of the global energy crisis.

In particular, May holds three important milestones in store for the government that will shape the landscape in the near future on a political and economic level.

Firstly, Mitsotakis will outline the trajectory of his government at the congress of ruling New Democracy on May 6-8, with an emphasis on its social profile and its support for the weakest. What Mitsotakis essentially wants is to deny SYRIZA the chance of anchoring its claim to the moniker of “protector of the weak.”

The announcements on the housing policy for young couples, which the government has been working on for a long time, are expected to play a central role at the congress.

Mitsotakis is also expected to present the political dilemma of “progress or regression” to serve as the narrative until the next elections.

The next key milestone is on May 16, with the PM’s long-prepared visit to the White House. It will be Mitsotakis’ fourth meeting with US President Joe Biden and comes at a time of global fluidity and turmoil.

The energy crisis and independence from Russian gas, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and relations between the two countries will be on the agenda.

Talks on investments are also on the cards, as the visit will not be limited to the White House, but contacts will be made with representatives of funds, sending a signal that Greece is an investment-friendly country.

The recent upgrade by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) of Greece’s debt rating by one notch, just one step below investment grade, shows that the Greek economy, despite the global crisis, has significant potential.

The third key milestone for the government will be on May 30-31 at the extraordinary summit of EU leaders, where measures should be taken to protect those most vulnerable to the energy crisis from international price hikes.

Mitsotakis has announced in advance that if Europe does not take decisions, then there will be immediate national initiatives.