Greek political stability and economic discourse

Greek Minister of State Akis Skertsos has utilized economic and political comparisons to defend the current Greek administration’s performance and stability.

Initially, Skertsos contrasted the Greek and German political landscapes following German elections that saw a rise in political extremism. He attributed Germany’s instability to economic pressures and deindustrialization, noting that while Greece saw a 12.2% real GDP increase and a drop in unemployment from 17.3% to 7.9% between 2019 and 2026, Germany experienced a 2.2% GDP increase and rising unemployment.

Subsequently, Skertsos addressed domestic debates regarding the possibility of the government serving a third consecutive term. He rejected the notion of a ‘curse of two terms’—a historical trend where no post-war Greek government has won three consecutive elections—arguing instead that political stability drives progress. To support this, he cited long-term European leaders and highlighted Greece’s economic trajectory, specifically noting that public debt is projected to decrease to 136.6% of GDP by 2026.

Expanding on this defense, Skertsos argued that political stability should be viewed as a tool for “accumulated progress” rather than mere stagnation. He posited that a government’s success is measured by its ability to utilize political time for measurable outcomes.

In a recent interview with Radio Thessaloniki, Skertsos expanded his focus to include fiscal, energy, and defense autonomy. Addressing the international energy crisis, he noted that government measures could bring heating oil prices for subsidy beneficiaries down to €1.35 per liter, aiming to keep Greece among the European nations with the lowest prices. He also criticized the economic stances of PASOK and SYRIZA, suggesting their approaches could lead to fiscal supervision, while contrasting Greece’s fiscal position favorably against nations like Italy, which faces high borrowing costs and significant deficits.