Greek Parliament Approves 2026 State Budget with Focus on Defense Spending

The Greek Parliament has approved the 2026 state budget, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis receiving 159 votes in favor amid opposition over rising living costs. The ruling New Democracy party's 156 members and three independent deputies supported the bill, while 136 lawmakers voted against it.

The military budget was ratified by 216 lawmakers, reflecting a cross-party consensus on security modernization due to regional tensions. Additionally, the budget for the Presidency of the Republic passed with 236 votes. Mitsotakis noted the approval as a mandate to balance social relief and fiscal discipline, while opposition parties criticized the government's management of inflation, indicating economic issues will remain a key focus for the administration in the upcoming year.