The case of Makarios Lazaridis was mentioned among others by Paulos Marinakis stressing that “to “hit” a man who is under pressure I don’t think it offers much more“.
Specifically, the government spokesman posted a video on social media today, Tuesday (21/04), in which he talked about what he discussed during his visit to Thessaloniki yesterday.
In his post, Marinakis also referred to the former Deputy Minister of Rural Development, who resigned after the reactions were caused over the issue of his degree.
“Makarios Lazaridis has resigned and “hitting” a man, who is under pressure, I don’t think it offers much more. Now as for the “Government of the Aristocrats”, let’s say that the events we are discussing happened 19 years ago, when Kyriakos Mitsotakis was not prime minister. But because I always like to talk politics, did you know that during the days of this government, it is forbidden for anyone who holds a government position to put any first-degree relative anywhere in another position?” he stressed, among other things.
What he said about the agreement between ExxonMobil – Energean – HELLENiQ Energy and Stena Drilling
About the contract signed between the ExxonMobil – Energean – HELLENiQ Energy consortium and Stena Drilling to start drilling in the Northwest Ionian Sea, Pavlos Marinakis explained: “A very important agreement has been signed, as after 50 years drilling will start in the Ionian Sea. When? In February 2027. It’s an exploration process, meaning we are looking to find, but if we find we can reach up to 200 billion cubic metres of gas. Very important as you understand all this, because we are talking about energy autonomy of Greece, job creation, but also state revenues that can reach up to 40% of total revenues.”
Pavlos Marinakis’ position on the age limit on social
On the “age ban” on social media he pointed out: “The beginning of the effort has not happened now. It was started by the Prime Minister in September 2024, from the podium of the United Nations. That’s when the groundwork was laid for two very important tools, Kids Wallet and age verification. Why are we announcing it now, to be implemented from January 2027? Because it takes time, it takes preparation and we all need to be on the same page. Parents and children first and foremost, but also society as a whole. This is a very important battle for our children. It is a battle that we will win it all together.”
As for “toxicity” in social media, anonymous profiles and whether the government intends to take relevant measures to address them, Pavlos Marinakis noted: “I remember about 1-2 months ago when we held the conference on toxic speech and fake news, various supposedly sensitive people were offended. Guys, there is no more room for manoeuvre. They may be minorities, but they are very morbid. All these morbid minorities, “they don’t have their God”, comment negatively, with too much hate. Even when a person is in the ICU. A young person can be lost, like this shocking incident with the young girl, a young person, and there they throw their bile. Toxic speech and much more so anonymous profiles on the internet is one of the biggest threats we all experience. It’s not just, that is, a swear word, a vulgar post behind anonymity. Think about how much a child can be at risk from an anonymous profile. I say it and I won’t stop repeating it. Anonymity on the internet must be lifted. We have to fight at all levels so that for every profile on the internet the platform knows who it belongs to, just like our mobile phone.”
He stressed on the interest shown by young citizens to get involved in the agricultural sector and the incentives given: “Very optimistic that you sent me many messages about how a young person can get involved in the primary sector. Very quickly I tell you that there is the programme for the establishment of young farmers. Already 7 000 applications have been submitted. Another programme is the Young Farmers Programme. But also through the common agricultural policy, three different financial instruments have been created, from Europe, that is, for agri-food businesses of all sizes. One of them is aimed only at young farmers and is accompanied by repayable aid at 80% of the loan.”
Finally, when asked whether we will see a reduction or abolition of the advance tax on income businesses, the Government Spokesman said: “We have already reduced 83 direct and indirect taxes, and we have taken the advance tax from the first four years from 100% to 80% for legal entities, to 50% for individuals. I hope to reduce it further in the near future.”
