Greece has in the past been treated as a byword for fiscal excess, political instability, and the dangers of economic mismanagement. Today however, we are starting to show how a pragmatic centrist government open to moderate reform can restore credibility internationally, and a deliver renewed growth mission at home. As the rest of the West falls to snake oil salesman populists to the left and right, we are showing that an alternative model for success is possible, writes Greek FDI and investment migration lawyer, Christina Georgaki.
Under Kyriakos Mitsotakis (pictured), Greece has deliberately moved away from the performative politics that once dominated our public life, replacing it with sensible, pragmatic reform with tangible outcomes focused on economic results. With a strict approach to public finances since 2019, Greece is borrowing more easily, attracting investment, and is now projected to grow at a healthy pace, with forecasts pointing to 2.2% growth in 2026 – figures our European partners look upon in awe. These numbers have ensured that we have regained 44.0% of our real GDP losses during the debt crisis, with further upwards trends expected between now and 2030.
This is no accident and is a result of calculated and sensible economic management. It also means we can start looking ahead with positivity and embrace our future economic potential. Upcoming tax cuts for those earning €10,000–€20,000 will substantially reduce rates for hard working families – with those with four children seeing a 0% rate. The platform provided by the current government has proven that sensible, pragmatic politics in the political “mainstream” can be transformative for everyday Greeks across the country.
Pragmatism also means embracing modernisation and change, when sensible. The Hatzidakis Bill, for example is set to dismantle a web of outdated “Ottoman-era decrees” that long allowed the state to assert ownership claims over land it had effectively abandoned for decades by establishing clear criteria for long-term possession. The same logic underpins Mitsotakis’ recent calls for a “daring constitutional revision” over ministers’ immunity and “jobs for life” in parts of the civil service which have too long only served to drag down public trust in our institutions.
We are also embracing the worldwide technology revolution. Building on major digitization projects facilitated predominantly through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the Government has also signed an agreement with OpenAI to make AI tools more widely available for use in secondary education and small businesses. We are proof that the political mainstream can wholly transform the capability of a once beleaguered and outdated state.
This kind of management has received backing at the polls too. Despite persistent challenges and growing threats abroad, New Democracy has won two consecutive general elections and remains comfortably ahead in the polls, with roughly 29% support. Centrist parties across Europe would give a lot for this level of security for a mainstream incumbent.
Greece has shown that the political binary between technocratic stasis in the centre and populist revolt can be overcome. Pragmatic reform can deliver real results and will be rewarded electorally. It is now on our leaders across Europe to be bold in their actions and turn to their Hellenic partners for inspiration.
