Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has promised more than 2 billion euros or $2.3 billion in tax cuts, salary increases and other support measures before Greece’s general election next year THESSALONIKI, Greece -- Greece’s conservative government promised sweeping tax breaks and pay hikes before a general election next year, as thousands gathered in protest late Saturday over the high cost of living. Labor unions and multiple protest groups staged rallies across the city, with farmers driving tractors into the downtown area. More than 3,000 police officers were on duty, closing streets and subway stations near the venue where the prime minister spoke.
Greece delivered a budget surplus and economic growth of 2.1% last year, while continuing to reduce its high public debt, but its workers had the lowest purchasing power in the European Union. The support measures, worth more than 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) over the next year, include tax breaks for self-employed professionals, farmers and residents of villages, as well as salary and benefit increases for retirees and public sector workers. Mitsotakis, the 58-year-old son of late conservative Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis, has served as prime minister since 2019, as Greece emerged from a major financial crisis.
He's seeking a third term in an election expected next April. But polls suggest that support for his center-right New Democracy party wouldn't give it a governing majority in parliament. Saturday’s event was overshadowed by a fighter jet crash several hours earlier at an air show near Athens that killed two air force pilots. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events
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