The government presented on Wednesday its plans for a major shake-up of Greece’s defence capabilities, which PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis claims is needed to equip the armed forces for a new era. The announcement comes after a week of upheaval in New Democracy, as ministers called for pay rises for the military to be rolled out across all emergency services.
Greece’s employment balance was positive by 23,945 more hires than departures in February, according to data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system.
The media offensive launched last week to promote the latest rise in the new minimum wage in Greece clashed with the latest data released by Eurostat concerning per capita GDP in the EU in purchasing power terms (PPP), which placed Greece second from bottom.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been forced to commit to pay rises for all uniformed personnel after leading ministers and numerous New Democracy MPs called for those serving in the police, coast guard and fire service to be awarded more pay following the recent announcement of wage increases for the armed forces.
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate edged down to 8.6 percent in February, from an upwards revised 9.1 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Tuesday.
Greece’s Manufacturing PMI saw a solid rise in March, when it reached 55 points from 52.6 points in the previous month, according to S&P Global data released on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited France and Israel over the last few days, aiming to bolster close relations with key allies ahead of two important developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece’s retail sales started the new year with growth of 2.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) in January, after a sharp drop of 5 percent in December, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Monday.
After announcing wage increases for members of the armed forces last week, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is coming under pressure from members of his own party, including frontline ministers, to raise the salaries of all uniformed personnel.
Greece’s economic sentiment (ESI) improved in March to 107.7 points, from 106.9 in the previous month, according to European Commission figures released on Friday.
