The Minister of Finance and parliamentary candidate Fthiotidas mentioned the main directions of the pre-election program of the ND Christos Staikouras, during his speech at the Delphi Economic Forum. As he said, all the available financial space will be used to increase the real income of the citizen. And he set as priorities, among others, the new increase in the minimum wage, the increase in the tax-free threshold, the increase in the salaries of civil servants and the new salary scale. At the same time, he stated that there will be a new reduction in insurance contributions and the abolition of the pretense fee, provided for the latter that tax evasion will be further reduced.

Regarding the course of inflation, he predicted that this year it will be formed, with today’s data, at 4.5% at average levels, while the growth rate of GDP will be much higher than 2.3%.

When asked why the VAT on food, answered that a similar measure has a cost of 1.4 billion euros and therefore the corresponding fiscal equivalents are needed, while no one can ensure that this reduction will reach the consumer. And he added that patience, perseverance and a targeted policy are needed for those who are most in need.

Regarding “if the Greek economy is shielded against a new global storm”, he stated that “I have not heard or seen any study at a global level that expresses concern about the Greek economy and its prospects, and the banking system ». However, he pointed out that they need prudence, attention and responsibility, and not excuses.

Especially, regarding the banks, he said that they are in a much better situation than in 2019 (e.g. in terms of the drastic reduction of “red” loans and the significant increase in deposits), adding, however, that the banking system “must show greater responsibility and give back to society what it took from society”.