×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
17
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 8°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Politics

Government unveils positive agenda: Marine parks, bank reform, and Peace & Friendship Foundation deal

In the next few days, the national water plan, which is being processed by the vice-presidency of the government, should also be expected

Newsroom July 22 08:23

Following the political shock of the OPEKEPE scandal, which deeply unsettled the government, the Maximos Mansion sought ways to move forward. The first step was the decision to establish an Investigative Committee instead of the Pre-Investigative Committee proposed by opposition parties, broadening the scope of the inquiry. Government officials also view the recent resignation of PASOK Prefectural Committee Secretary Lambros Antonopoulos as a sign that the issue extends beyond party lines. However, the next priority is to focus on concrete actions with visible results.

Since Monday morning, the government has launched a steady stream of positive announcements. It began with the designation of two marine parks in the Ionian and South Aegean Seas, protecting 27,500 square meters—larger than initially expected. Notably, opposition parties remained silent, while Turkey’s response—criticizing what it called unilateral Greek moves and announcing plans for similar actions—was seen by the government as a direct reaction. From the start, the marine parks initiative carried significant geopolitical weight alongside its environmental goals.

The most impactful move was the elimination of bank fees for ATM withdrawals. The regulation, developed by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis over the weekend in close coordination with Maximos Mansion and the Bank of Greece, goes beyond a simple fix; it offers a comprehensive approach addressing several aspects of banking fees that have long frustrated citizens. Back in December, Prime Minister Mitsotakis had pledged decisive action to reduce bank charges. “With clear political will, determination, and social responsibility, we are moving forward with a bold and necessary intervention on bank fees. The government is committed to firm rules, clear decisions, and effective protection for everyone,” he stated yesterday.

>Related articles

Kikilias at the handover of 51 Coast Guard vehicles: Next step — Procurement of drones for the EEZ and Marine Parks

The next day after the Turkish “marine parks” – Mitsotakis’ messages to Ankara

“Unacceptable, illegal act,” says Athens on Turkish Marine Parks – What Ankara seeks with its latest provocation

Finally, a key issue involving the Peace and Friendship Stadium was resolved in a meeting at Maximos Mansion attended by Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Olympiacos CSO owners Giorgos and Panagiotis Angelopoulos. Following a model similar to the indoor OAKA concession to Panathinaikos, the government closed this long-standing matter, which had stirred unrest among Olympiacos supporters. Deputy Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis, in consultation with the Prime Minister’s Secretary Stelios Koutnatzis, managed the negotiations, with both sides describing the agreement as fair. Sources confirmed the Prime Minister’s determination to settle the issue before the summer ends, avoiding any carryover into the next season.

Looking ahead, the government’s vice-presidency is expected to present the national water plan in the coming days. On Wednesday, Mitsotakis will give a full interview on SKAI’s main newscast, and on Friday the cabinet will hold its final meeting before the short August recess.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#bank reform#marine parks#Positive Agenda
> More Politics

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

War, diplomacy, or insurrection: What’s next in Iran

January 17, 2026

New tensions in the Middle East as Trump invites regional leaders to the Gaza Peace Council

January 17, 2026

Weather: A return to winter in the coming days – Cold and strong northerly winds – Kolydas’ post

January 17, 2026

A view of Nikolaos Stasinopoulos of Viohalco – The “enduring imprint” of Greece’s greatest industrialist

January 17, 2026

The horror of the “Tariff of the Dead”: how the Iranian regime prices the bodies of protesters

January 17, 2026

Mitsotakis on the Karystianou party: “There is a long distance between being the parent of a tragedy victim and being the leader of a political party”

January 17, 2026

Patras in carnival mode – This evening, the city’s official opening ceremony

January 17, 2026

Greenland as the first line ofdefense for the U.S. and NATO:

January 17, 2026
All News

> Politics

Mitsotakis on the Karystianou party: “There is a long distance between being the parent of a tragedy victim and being the leader of a political party”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on Saturday morning about the proposed Karystianou party, his forthcoming meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and his scheduled meeting with farmers on Monday

January 17, 2026

Mitsotakis attends the inauguration of the renovated Emergency Department at Red Cross Hospital

January 16, 2026

Marinakis: Anestidis has no place in a meeting with Mitsotakis; The video with insults crosses the line of decency

January 16, 2026

Gerapetritis: ‘Extension of territorial waters will come, as marine parks and spatial planning’

January 16, 2026

Hydrocarbon contracts in Parliament, Greece as an energy hub with Saudi Arabia and investments in the background

January 15, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα