Μake us preferred on Google Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured stands and greeted visitors at the 90th TIF, honoring Japan as this year’s guest country, ahead of his keynote address expected to address the political headwinds facing his administration.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived at the Thessaloniki International Fair grounds shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday, opening this year’s exhibition against a backdrop of sustained political pressure on his government. His keynote speech, expected later in the day, is widely anticipated to address that scrutiny directly.
He was welcomed at the north gate by TIF-Helexpo president Christos Tsentemeidis and the fair’s leadership, along with several cabinet ministers, Thessaloniki-area lawmakers from New Democracy, European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angelousis and other regional officials.
Mitsotakis attended the traditional blessing ceremony for the 90th TIF, led by Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, who welcomed the prime minister and read a message from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
He then met with the fair’s management before touring the exhibition stands. Stops included the Caravania stand, where he joked about needing a camper van to tour Greece this winter, and a Formula 1 car display that caught his attention. He also sampled local refreshments, including a retsina-based cocktail, joking it was “a bit early” for alcohol.
At the Apollon Kalamarias stand, the club’s president presented him with a jersey, and the two exchanged light-hearted remarks referencing the prime minister’s support for Olympiacos. He also test-rode an electric vehicle at the Toyota stand.
Among the more memorable moments of the tour were his stops at the academic institutions’ stands, including a lighthearted exchange with “Margarita,” the University of Macedonia’s robot, which he called “expressive” despite a brief technical glitch, before telling it “see you again.”
He was also briefed on Aristotle University’s Space Dot student nanosatellite team, saying he hoped “we’ll get to send it into space,” and on seeing Democritus University of Thrace’s first satellite, remarked he would “make a note of it.”
Throughout the tour, Mitsotakis frequently paused to speak with visitors and pose for photos, particularly with children.
