Greek PM: German Border Plan Will Burden Greece

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1. German Border Measures Criticized by Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has voiced strong opposition to Germany’s plan for stricter land border checks, set to start on September 16 and last for six months. Mitsotakis argues that these measures undermine the Schengen zone and unfairly burden frontline states like Greece. Germany's initiative, aimed at tackling irregular migration, has been labeled by Mitsotakis as a unilateral move that shifts responsibility onto countries with external borders. Instead, he advocates for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which emphasizes shared responsibilities for border protection. Greece, which has dealt with substantial refugee inflows since the 2015-16 crisis, continues to face migration challenges, including a planned extension of its border fence with Turkey.

2. Tourism Regulations Spark Debate

Greece is introducing new measures to manage the impacts of excessive tourism. These include limiting short-term rentals and imposing a new fee for cruise ship passengers visiting popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos. While these regulations aim to protect local communities and cultural heritage, there are concerns about their potential negative effects on the tourism sector, which is vital to Greece’s economy, contributing over 25% to the GDP. Industry leaders argue that these restrictions could harm Greece’s crucial tourism industry, with some critics claiming that cruise passengers and property owners are unfairly targeted. Despite these concerns, Greece is expected to set a new record for tourist arrivals in 2024.

3. Government Incentives to Address Declining Birthrate

In response to Greece’s low birthrate, one of the lowest in Europe, the government has announced a range of financial incentives. These include tax breaks, daycare vouchers, and pension increases aimed at reversing the demographic decline exacerbated by economic challenges and emigration. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has referred to this issue as a “ticking time bomb” for pensions. However, experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures, pointing out that similar initiatives across Europe have yielded limited results. They stress the need for addressing underlying issues such as education, healthcare, and work-life balance to tackle the problem sustainably.

4. Challenges Facing Supply Teachers

Greece’s education system is increasingly dependent on supply teachers due to a shortage of permanent staff. These teachers face significant challenges, including lower wages and higher living costs compared to 15 years ago. Despite recent efforts to increase permanent hires, the education system remains chaotic and understaffed. Supply teachers often work on temporary contracts far from home, with wages that do not cover the rising cost of living. This has led to dire situations where some teachers are forced to sleep in their cars or on school premises due to exorbitant rental prices. The struggles of supply teachers highlight broader issues within Greece’s education system, exacerbated by high living costs in popular areas.

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