Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis responded sharply on Monday morning (6 July 2026) to former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ recent criticisms of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, and the New Democracy government. Speaking on SKAI’s Simera programme, Georgiadis rejected Samaras’ claim — aired via social media video on Sunday (5 July 2026) — that Recovery Fund money had gone only to a narrow circle of political allies.
Recovery Fund funds went to SMEs, not just elites
Georgiadis stressed that the assertion lacks factual basis. He pointed out that a significant portion of Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds was channelled to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including local construction firms responsible for hospital and health centre upgrades — not large conglomerates. He also highlighted the ‘Pro-lambano’ (I Prevent) programme, which provided financial support to all private biochemistry labs and microbiologists across Greece, underscoring that ‘a great deal of Recovery Fund money has gone to SMEs’. He added he would be willing to present detailed data to Samaras if needed.
‘Same old narrative’
The minister noted that the ‘friends-and-favours’ accusation mirrors claims previously made by Alexis Tsipras, Stefanos Kasselakis, Nikos Androulakis, Zoe Konstantopoulou, and Kyriakos Velopoulos. ‘I’m sorry I heard it now from Samaras too. I don’t know if he wants to keep company with them,’ he said, reiterating that the allegation is baseless and that Greece has used the Recovery Fund in an ‘exceptionally intelligent way’.
Georgiadis clarified that his government does not serve ‘the rich or big vested interests’, and recalled that Samaras himself faced similar accusations from the Left during his premiership. For that reason, he urged restraint: ‘It’s good for tones to be lowered.’ Political criticism, he added, is legitimate — but not when it relies on such unsubstantiated characterisations.
On investment loans and strategic priorities
Regarding RRF-backed loans, Georgiadis acknowledged they were directed primarily toward large-scale investment projects. But he defended this as necessary, explaining the goal was to build major productive units and factories — engines of job creation and long-term development — rather than distribute fragmented, low-impact sums.
Greece’s foreign policy is stronger than ever
On foreign affairs, Georgiadis stated that Greece’s external policy is ‘stronger than ever’. However, he cautioned against direct comparisons with Samaras’ tenure, noting that Greece was then in the depths of economic crisis — making such a comparison ‘unfair’.