Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the government is on standby to take immediate action to support fuel prices, with a reserve margin of 200 million euros set aside for the effort.
Marinakis said any measures would be carried out within the country's existing fiscal framework, rather than through new borrowing or spending outside budget limits.
He said that if negative forecasts for fuel prices were confirmed, further support would be required, and that when the need became clear, the government would draw on the country's fiscal capacity so as not to leave society without help. He made the comments in an interview with the Greek television channel Action 24.
Marinakis said the amount held in reserve for 2026 stood at 200 million euros, and stressed that every measure the government announces must be carefully evaluated before being rolled out.
Unemployment Benefit Proposal
Marinakis was also asked about a proposal to extend unemployment benefit over two months, an idea that has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties.
He said the proposal reflected his own personal position rather than government policy, and that it had been distorted in the first days after he raised it before being properly understood. He said he had actually been referring to an employment subsidy, and that the idea was not a government position and formed no part of the government's development planning.
He added that it was clear a government spokesperson was entitled to express his own views, not only when briefing reporters or giving an interview on behalf of the government, but also in personal interviews.
Comment on Labour Minister
Asked to comment on an announcement made by Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus, Marinakis said he did not wish to interpret the reasons why a minister had issued a particular announcement.
Marinakis serves as the spokesperson for the Greek government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and regularly briefs journalists on policy matters including the economy and cost-of-living measures. Kerameus has served as Greece's Minister of Labour and Social Security.
The government has previously introduced targeted subsidies to cushion households and businesses from rises in fuel and energy costs. Marinakis's comments suggest further support could follow if fuel price forecasts deteriorate, though he did not specify what form any new measures might take or when they could be announced.
