By Chrysostomos Tsoufis

The programmatic statements of the Prime Minister “stepped” on two boats. On the one hand, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of reasonable primary surpluses, wanting to emphasize fiscal discipline. On the other hand, he did not leave out any of his pre-election announcements.

Big winners – and rightfully so – of the programmatic statements are the civil servants who in the last 14 years were satisfied if their salaries were not cut because of increases or reason. However, from the New Year of 2024, the new salary scale brings increases of €500 million. The starting salary is equal to the basic one in the private sector, there are bold increases in family allowances and liability allowances and a reform of the off-site.

Pensioners continue to increase their pay. It will enter 2024 with increases in main pensions of more than 3% while low-income pensioners struggling with personal difference will receive a Christmas bonus. Former EKAS beneficiaries will never pay a cent for their drugs again. Working pensioners will no longer lose 30% of their pension even if they work an hour but will be charged a small levy on the remuneration for the work, which of course they have to declare.

For young couples who want to acquire a home with low-interest mortgages, they will benefit from doubling the resources of the MY HOME program, to €1 billion. The government is committed to building new homes for 8,500 students. The tax-free allowance for families with children increases from 2024 by €1000. A bonus is the acceleration of the youth pass, of €150 to those who turn 18, which will start to be given from September.

Property owners who insure their properties from 2024 against natural disasters will see ENFIA reduced by 10%.

For the private sector, the government aims for an average salary of €1,500 (from €1,170 today) and a minimum of €950 (from €780 today) at the end of the four-year period. There will also be a benefit from the additional reduction of insurance contributions by one unit, while freelancers will be relieved by the gradual abolition of the professional tax.

The vast majority of consumers, who are also entitled to the market pass, will continue to receive it for 3 months while the vise of presumptions will also be relaxed, which will be gradually reduced by 30%

Support measures and tax breaks do not end here as the Prime Minister was clear that every time additional fiscal space is created it will be returned to the citizens.