Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with MPs of A’ and B’ Thessaloniki as well as State-list MPs of New Democracy, while in the city as part of government preparations ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair.

The meeting includes Vice President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakis, Secretary of the Political Committee Kostas Skrekas, and party officials. The discussion focuses on Thessaloniki’s issues and preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit next week for the inauguration of the 89th TIF on Saturday, September 6.

Upon his arrival at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia and Thrace) Kostas Gioulekas. After the meeting, Mr. Mitsotakis will attend and speak at an event presenting Thessaloniki’s projects.

As protothema.gr reported earlier, Mr. Mitsotakis wants to send the message that Northern Greece is, for the first time, so strongly on a government’s radar, as a series of critical projects are being set in motion. He must, of course, contend with the disappointment of many citizens in working-class areas of Thessaloniki and beyond, mainly due to the increased cost of living, as well as the penetration of parties further right on the political map in areas where ND traditionally held strength. This refers to Kyriakos Velopoulos’ Hellenic Solution, which became the second party by a narrow margin in some Thessaloniki municipalities, NIKI, and Afroditi Latinopoulou’s Voice of Logic.

The day began at 10:00 with a meeting with the “blue” MPs of A’ and B’ Thessaloniki, while some State-list MPs also participated. Mr. Mitsotakis will also meet with university rectors ahead of the implementation of the new, stricter framework for safety and “eternal students” at the country’s universities, and after 11:30 he will speak at the event organized at the Concert Hall. Immediately afterward, meetings with the productive and scientific bodies of Northern Greece will follow.

Since yesterday, Vice President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakis has been in Thessaloniki, who, together with Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios, met with mayors of Northern Greece. Also present are Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and his deputy Nikos Papathanasis, Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, Labor Minister Niki Kerameos, Infrastructure Minister Christos Dimas and Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis, Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, and Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis. From deputy ministers, present are Nikos Tagaras (Environment), Lazaros Tsavdaridis (Development), Stavros Kalafatis (Research and Innovation), Kostas Gioulekas (Macedonia-Thrace), and Nikos Tachiaos (Infrastructure).

Mr. Mitsotakis is also accompanied by several Maximos Mansion officials, including Akis Skertsos, Giorgos Mylonakis, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, Giorgos Efthymiou, Michalis Bekiris, responsible also for the Prime Minister’s office in Thessaloniki, Giorgos Efthymiou, while since the day before yesterday in Thessaloniki are Mr. Mitsotakis’ party advisor Thanasis Nezis, ND Secretary Kostas Skrekas, Director General Giannis Smyrlis, and Press Representative Alexandra Sdoukou, together with the President of the Administrative Board Zisis Ioakeimovits.