The draft law of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance on the “Digital Transaction Fee and other provisions” was voted by majority on the Authority and articles Committee on Economic Affairs.

ND voted in favor of the bill, KKE, New Left and the Spartans voted against it, while SYRIZA, PASOK-KINAL, Hellenic Solution, Victory and Freedom Sailing were reserved to be placed in the Plenary.

Today, in the Economic Affairs Committee, the hearing of bodies was completed, as well as the debate on the articles of the bill. On Wednesday, its second reading in the Committee has been set, while on Thursday it will be introduced to the Plenary for discussion and voting.

The Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Christos Dimas announced that with the legislative improvements to be tabled in the bill, OPECA benefits will be exempt from the new Digital Transaction Fee. Also, as he informed the Committee during the discussion of the bill on the Authority, an amendment will be tabled for the six-month suspension of debt collection to the public as well as the suspension of enforcement actions for those affected by natural disasters, fires and earthquakes.

Mr. Dimas made it clear that “no new tax is imposed on transactions with the new Digital Fee”. Regarding article 20 of the bill for the imposition of the new Digital Transaction Fee on the payment of subscriptions to Chambers of Commerce, Associations, Associations and Unions, he noted that “a similar provision was also applicable under the Stamp Fees Code. Any special exemptions from Stamp duty have been granted in the past to certain bodies, these will continue to apply with the provisions of this bill”. The deputy minister pledged that “if it is judged by the parliamentary processing of the bill that further clarifications or legislative improvements are required in the provisions of the bill, these will be carried out”. Presenting and analyzing the provisions of the bill, Mr. Dimas emphasized that “we do not think that all problems are solved, but we think that this bill brings legal certainty. In many cases the Stamp is abolished and it is a step forward both for the tax administration and for professionals, businesses and all citizens who want legal certainty. So this is being achieved and I call on all parties to rise to the occasion and vote for it.”

The deputy minister, at the same time, rejected the claim of her deputies Opposition that the standard of living in Greece is in the penultimate position in the EU arguing that “based on Eurostat data from 2019 to 2023, annual net earnings in purchasing power units in our country have increased between 12.3 and 15.7% depending on the type, composition of households. In terms of purchasing power, these salaries in 2023 are in 16th place in the EU of “27” in three of the four categories, while in the fourth category our country is in 19th place.

Particularly with regard to workers who are paid the minimum wage, Greece is in the middle of the distribution, as out of the 27 Member States of the EU, 22 have legislated the minimum wage and we are in 11th place, while in terms of purchasing power we are in 12th place” and added that “the main goal of the Government is to increase the standard of living in our country even more and this was clearly stated by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the announcements he made at the TIF”.