ATHENS, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday announced a 1-billion-euro (1.14 billion U.S. dollars) package of support measures for low-income pensioners, tenants, and other vulnerable groups, following Greece's strong-than-expected fiscal performance in 2024.
"We can return a significant part of the surplus to citizens," Mitsotakis said in a televised address, attributing the outcome to continued reforms and fiscal discipline.
According to figures published by Eurostat on Tuesday, Greece posted a primary surplus of 4.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, surpassing the 2.5 percent target. The surplus amounted to 11.4 billion euros.
The overall fiscal balance also improved, registering a surplus of 1.3 percent of GDP compared to a deficit of 1.4 percent in 2023.
Under the new measures, around 1.5 million low-income pensioners, uninsured elderly people and individuals with disabilities will receive an annual top-up of 250 euros starting in November. In addition, tenants will be refunded one month's rent in a bid to ease pressure amid an ongoing housing shortage.
The government will also inject an additional 500 million euros into the public investment program to accelerate infrastructure projects and create new jobs.
According to the Greek national news agency AMNA, the total cost of the announced measures is estimated at approximately 1 billion euros. (1 euro = 1.14 U.S. dollars)
