Mitsotakis pledges growth at least double the eurozone rate ahead of 2027 vote

A growth pledge for the 2027 election

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis set out his offer to voters in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, conducted by Gordon Fairclough and published on 14 November 2026. He described a "new contract" with the Greek people, built on a growth rate at least double the eurozone average. He said that growth must rest on investment and would further reduce unemployment, raise wages and increase disposable income. He framed the choice at the next elections, due in 2027, as one between "realistic hope and experimentation", at a time when stability is essential.

Admitting the gap in living standards

Mitsotakis conceded that Greece's improved economic indicators have not yet reached ordinary people's lives as far as he wants. Asked whether the progress had reached households, he answered:

“The honest answer is no, we are not where I want to be.”

He said the cost of living crisis is the first concern of Greeks and is "very real", while insisting there is "no magic solution". He said Greece is not imposing austerity measures, unlike many European countries, and is instead offering targeted income support while continuing to reduce the tax burden on businesses and citizens. On the political side, he acknowledged that rising prices weigh on those in office:

“Inflation carries a heavy political cost for governments. It is not, however, going to take us off course.”

The record since 2019

Mitsotakis recalled that his government took office in 2019, after a decade of harsh austerity during which Greece had lost 25% of its GDP. He said that 7.5 years later the overall progress was noteworthy. He listed continuous primary surpluses, a debt that is falling faster than in any other OECD country, restored credibility with international partners and significant inflows of foreign direct investment. He also said Greece now borrows at a lower interest rate than four of the seven G7 countries, at a time when global bond markets are turbulent, and that few would have believed this possible a few years ago.

Criticism of the crisis-era government

Mitsotakis said Greeks were tested hard during the crisis and that the pain was made worse by electing a populist radical left government in the middle of it. He said that government allied with the far right and promised magic solutions to citizens' problems. In his account, the country came close to total disaster, and the crisis was prolonged by four years as a result. He said this is why Greeks remain cautious about promises today, and he argued that the new contract has to be judged against that record.