Mitsotakis in full campaign mode during rally in Irakleio, Crete

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who faces a no confidence vote in Parliament on Friday evening, a day earlier continued in «campaign mode» by reminding under his government Greece now retains among the highest growth rates in Europe and is one step away from a coveted investment grade for borrowing.

Mitsotakis spoke to a partisan rally from the large island of Crete and specifically from its largest city, Irakleio, which for decades has been a «soft spot» for his ruling New Democracy (ND) party.

With a general election to be held in the first half of this year, Mitsotakis cited both liberal and more social democrat policies, saying property taxes and social security contributions are being lowered, while the minimum wage and pension rates will be increased.

He also promised that «targeted» support measures, essentially one-off welfare payments to lower-income or at-risk groups, will continue.

Turning momentarily to foreign policy issues, the Greek premier dismissed the latest bellicose rhetoric emanating out of Turkey, warning that «every raid can be transformed into a disorderly retreat», using a Turkish derivative known in Greek as «yurusi» for raid.