Greece's EU Recovery Fund lagging as SYRIZA criticises government response

SYRIZA spokesperson Dimitris Melidis warned that wildfire victims must receive prompt compensation and blamed the government for inadequate preventive planning, citing the lack of a coordinated national strategy and the unimplemented Goldammer criteria.

At the same time, Greece’s use of the EU Recovery Fund has drawn sharp criticism. Official data show the country has mobilised only about 39 % of the €36 billion allocated under the “Greece 2.0” plan, placing it 23rd out of 27 EU members. The European Commission has warned that if the remaining milestones are not met by 31 August, Greece could face funding cuts. Government figures, including Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis, maintain that no money will be lost, but the gap between EU expectations and actual disbursement remains large.