Over the past six years, Greece has made significant economic progress. This was highlighted during a discussion on Wednesday evening (02.07.2025) between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nobel laureate MIT professor Daron Acemoglu, as part of The Economist’s 29th Annual Roundtable. Mitsotakis noted that a decade ago, Greece was on the brink of a referendum under the SYRIZA-ANEL government, which ultimately led to the third bailout and further divergence from its economic targets.
Today, however, Greece is producing primary surpluses, adopting pro-growth policies, and creating jobs. According to the Prime Minister, Greece now enjoys lower borrowing costs than countries like Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom — a sign of renewed economic confidence.
Mitsotakis emphasized the need for continued reforms and inclusive growth strategies. He mentioned focusing on increasing nominal wages and reducing tax rates. He also stressed the importance of a united Europe capable of navigating global challenges and maintaining competitiveness in an ever-changing world.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s role in preventing Greece’s exit from the Eurozone and her support for establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), especially during the pandemic response. Mitsotakis credited Merkel with understanding the urgency of European action during times of crisis.
Greece has also made strides in digital transformation and reducing bureaucracy, placing it ahead of many other nations in these areas. Mitsotakis reiterated the importance of efficient public administration, particularly in light of recent scandals such as the OPEKEPE case.
When addressing challenges facing liberal democracies, he pointed out that Greece benefits from having a strong parliamentary majority — a luxury not all European governments enjoy. He also warned about the growing influence of fake news and pledged to combat misinformation ahead of future elections.
Professor Daron Acemoglu joined the conversation by outlining five major global trends shaping leadership today: artificial intelligence, the evolving landscape of democracy, the reconfiguration of global order, demographic changes, and climate change.
The event took place at the Grand Resort in Lagonisi under the theme: ‘Walking steadily across a tightrope of uncertainty: Geopolitics – Environment – Technology.’