The initiatives announced yesterday greatly expand the framework for the implementation of the out -of -court mechanism and the level of protection for tens of thousands of debtors, the Minister of National Economy and Finance said. Kostis Hatzidakis In an interview today on the Mega television station.

Mr Hatzidakis noted, among other things, the doubling of income criteria in order to integrate a borrower into the mandatory out -of -court lenders. He also emphasized that before he auctioned, the lender would be obliged to make a proposal to the debtor in order to have a last chance. “It is not certainly not in the lenders to auction. So thousands of bilateral arrangements have been made and private debt has fallen from $ 92 billion in 2019 to $ 67 billion. “Mr Hatzidakis said. While complaints about lenders’ refusal to consult with debtors, the minister reminded that in December 2023 a law was passed on the funds which is self -evident, but did not apply, to provide continuous information to debtors, For those who do not comply. “Any borrower who does not get away can resort to the competent services. The situation is not paradise but it has definitely improved ‘, He stressed. He noted that improving the out -of -court parameters in 2023 led to 2024 to an increase of arrangements by 81%. “We have 10 billion debts that went into the out -of -court and 30,000 of our fellow citizens have already been covered”he said.

To a question about the loans in Swiss francMr. Hatzidakis pointed out the following: “Loans in Swiss franc is a pan -European problem. Most countries have not done anything. Here the Supreme Court has decided, despite the appeals, that it was a risk that the borrowers took. For our part, we are trying to see what has happened in some European countries and talking to banks to find a solution that will be fair and realistic. And it will provide some relief to borrowers. They still need Further discussions with both banks and the Bank of Greece and the European Central Bank. “

The minister clarified that the same arrangement has not been implemented in those countries that have taken such initiatives as loan cases are different and the strengths of bank systems are different. And ended up:

“What these borrowers need to know is that for the first time there is a discussion of a relief intervention, which we seek to be in the first half of 2025.”

In addition to the integration of European VAT Directives, Mr. Hatzidakis noted that the possibility of reducing the VAT rate on individual products and services already under existing legislation and the government has used this possibility in 23 in 2019. different cases. The warning letter sent to Greece as well as in several other countries concerns technical issues in relation to VAT for which it is obvious that there will be the application of the Directive.

“There was a deadline until December 31 and we will obviously comply”, The Minister pointed out and added: ‘This is concerned: They are some compulsory measures that are not of particular importance to society and to the Ministry of Finance and there are some other potentially in the context of adopting a European VAT agreement. There is a misunderstanding that the government, not complying with this directive, which will obviously do so, is supposed to prevent VAT being reduced. But we can also reduce VAT with the current regime to date. And we do it. From 2019 we have made 23 different reductions: in urban transport from 24%. In the ferry from 24 to 13%. On air transport from 24 to 13%. In taxis from 24 to 13%. In cinemas from 24 to 13%. In a number of public health -related goods from 24 to 6%. In coffee delivered as a good of 24 to 13%. In non -alcoholic from 24 to 13%. In infancy products from 24 to 13%. In the buildings we reset it. In feed from 13 to 6%, etc. ”

Asked why the government is not reducing VAT on food, the minister stressed: “We made all these reductions because there were social priorities issues. In food, we saw that in both Spain and Portugal and Greece in the past, when the reduction was implemented, it did not go to the market. Went to intermediate. Our priority this year, regardless of the integration of the VAT Directive, is the reduction of direct taxes. And this is based on our efforts for tax evasion from which we believe that we will have more revenue and in September the prime minister will announce direct tax cuts that will go straight to the taxpayer’s pocket. They are not interested in taxpayers if they will take them from the right or left pocket, but to take them. And with our own method, the reduction of direct taxes is sure to receive them. “