Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that his government will step up pressure on both the British Museum and the British government to secure the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, revealing that ongoing negotiations have stalled.
Speaking at To Vima newspaper's Dialogues for Athens conference on Tuesday, Mitsotakis used sharp language to describe the classical marbles, stating that they were part of a single ancient monument that was dismembered and clearly stolen from the Acropolis.
Mitsotakis acknowledged that negotiations with British officials have yielded no progress so far, prompting Athens to intensify its diplomatic efforts. He pointed specifically to the British Museum Act of 1963, explaining that UK legislation currently limits the museum's authority to permanently return artifacts, meaning an explicit legal exception would be required from the British government.
The prime minister described the Parthenon as a global symbol of humanity and democratic values, noting that the ancient temple tells the story of the world's first democracy at a time when democratic institutions face pressure from both the right and the left. He rejected claims that returning the marbles would set a dangerous precedent for other major international institutions, insisting that Greece is not calling for major museums to be emptied because the Parthenon represents a unique case.
Athens is prepared to leverage cultural diplomacy to facilitate an agreement, with Mitsotakis highlighting the ongoing renovation of the National Archaeological Museum as an opportunity to loan major Greek artifacts to London as part of a broader cultural partnership. He expressed confidence that the time for reunification has arrived, citing strong support among British public opinion and noting that Greece is monitoring London's post-Brexit signals regarding closer relations with the European Union.
Housing supply proposals and critique of opposition
Turning to domestic policy at the Athens forum, Mitsotakis addressed Greece's growing housing shortage while taking an indirect jab at opposition leader Nikos Androulakis by pointing to what he described as failed socialist policies in Spain.
Mitsotakis questioned the situation in Spain, describing the housing crisis there as far worse than in Greece. He argued that Spain's socialist government had completely failed to resolve the issue despite being held up by left-wing opposition parties as a role model for housing management, asserting that the administration ultimately collapsed due to its poor handling of the crisis.
The comments follow recent statements by Androulakis, who leads the opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement, calling for a progressive socialist administration and alternative housing measures.
Building incentives and short-term rental limits
To address rising costs in Greece, Mitsotakis highlighted an upcoming November tax rebate returning one month's rent up to 800 euros for primary residences, which he calculated will reduce annual rental expenses for tenants by approximately eight percent.
However, Mitsotakis stressed that financial relief alone cannot solve the crisis without expanding available housing supply. He proposed a new urban planning concept for densely populated cities, suggesting that private developers who construct buildings exclusively for long-term rental could be granted incentives to build additional square meters, potentially adding up to two extra floors.
Mitsotakis clarified that the proposal is an idea for public debate rather than a finalized government policy, acknowledging that past urban planning incentives faced legal challenges in Greek courts. He emphasized the necessity of striking a careful balance between environmental protections and the fundamental right to housing.
The prime minister also outlined plans to encourage property owners to renovate vacant apartments and return them to the long-term rental market. Regarding short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, Mitsotakis acknowledged their contribution to the economy but affirmed that the government will enforce strict limits where necessary, following restrictions already introduced in the historic center of Athens. He concluded that while Greece faced no housing crisis during its years of deep economic recession, current market pressures stem directly from stronger economic growth and rising demand.
