In the government decision regarding the “non-performing loans”, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis noted, pointing out that “we proceeded with what we consider to be fair and a reward for consistency.”

Specifically, speaking on Real FM, Mr. Kontogeorgis initially responded to recent allegations from opposition parties, which had questioned whether the government would implement the court ruling: The reality is that “the Ministry of Finance was reviewing the ruling”, the deputy minister explained, while also noting that “we proceeded with what we consider fair and as a reward for consistency (on the part of borrowers).”

Specifically, this particular provision “gives some breathing room to quite a few of our fellow citizens—about 100,000. “Whatever is right, reasonable, and fair—and whatever we can do—we will do. We cannot do things that jeopardize many issues,” he also explained. Furthermore, refuting the assessment that the fact that the country is in an election year played a role in the government’s decision, he insisted that the government remained within the parameters of the Supreme Court’s ruling—and “these are the options.”

Changing the subject to the question of whether the country is heading toward elections, prompted in part by the prime minister’s tours, T. Kontogeorgis responded as follows: “The fact that the prime minister is engaging with the public and touring the country is not something that’s just starting now. It has been happening throughout the entire four-year term,” reiterating that “there are ten months left until the elections”.

However, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister placed great emphasis on the Greek Presidency of 2027, which will not be “a typical Greek Presidency”. On the contrary, it will be “a Presidency that will determine how we will live in the coming years, because that is when the European budget will be agreed upon. At that time, we will need a prime minister with diplomatic capital”, who will also have the ability to reconcile differences within the EU.

The next topic of the interview was the case involving the New Democracy MP and former commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos: “He has provided some explanations regarding the substance of the case,” explanations that “are logical and coherent.” On the other hand, he continued, “I understand that he feels he’s being treated unfairly, and the emotional strain may lead to some verbal excesses.”

However, he was categorical that as far as the Ministry of Citizen Protection is concerned, “there was no delay, and the minister is not involved”. On the contrary, “because it was a European arrest warrant, the procedures moved quickly,” and furthermore, everything was done “within 24 hours”. As for what happens from here on out, the bottom line was that “whatever needs to be done will be done with complete transparency and in accordance with the Constitution and the Code of Criminal Procedure”.