“The people have memory and experience, they know who put us in the memos and who in 2015 left the country with empty coffers and which government managed to get the country out of the memorandums, settle the debt and leave 37 billion in the public coffers. I am fully aware of the country’s financial potential and difficulties, I have been in constant contact for these 4 years with European officials” said the president of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, Alexis Tsiprasin the framework of cross-channel press conference which grants in view of elections of May 21in the Zappio Hall.

“Our program is completely cost-effective and aims to dismantle the system of profiteering”he emphasized.

Talk about “premature” of Mr. Mitsotakis to create the image that the SYRIZA program is expensive.

Characterize “wretchedness to circulate a private document that was made in the offices of Maximos and say that it is a GLK document”.

He noted that the cost of the program on an annual basis is about 5.5 billion. “This cost is sustainable, because every program has an expenditure and revenue component,” he said, stressing that excess profits will be taxed and there will be a new mechanism at the source to don’t have these super profits. He said, among other things, that it will cost 1.5 billion to reduce the VAT on an annual basis and 1.4 billion to reduce the VAT, pointing out that 4 billion was the increase in revenue from the high VAT alone in ’22 .

He pointed out that SYRIZA has a PNP ready with three articles: The first is the suspension of first home auctions – zero fiscal cost. The second has to do with the abolition of the Minimum Import Base – zero fiscal cost. The third is a reduction in VAT and social security tax, which from the time it will be implemented until the end of the year, i.e. for six months, is 1.4 billion, he said.

“I want a stable, long-term government”

Asked about the collaborations, he argued that the first and third parties will have the possibility to form a coalition government. If ND is first, Mr. Mitstotakis will seek to form a government, he will not risk it, he estimated. If SYRIZA is the first, we will have a government, he stressed, adding that the progressive government will be based on a program to restructure the economy, support society, and restore democracy to power.

“It is not my vision, nor my plan to build a government based on the tolerance of one party. I want a stable, long-lasting government,” he noted. He commented that “Mr. Varoufakis excluded himself from the invitation of the democratic progressive forces”.

“If Mr. Varoufakis did not exist, Mr. Mitsotakis would have to invent him. He was his alter ego throughout the pre-election period. With his obsession he made a very big gift. I don’t know if they were in agreement or if it was simply a useful offer by Mr. Varoufakis to Mr. Mitsotakis”commented.

THE Alexis Tsipras expressed the opinion that young people in the last 4 years were “targeted” by the government, expressed the president of SYRIZA-PS Alexis Tsipras, answering a question as to whether he believes that young people will come to the polls this time.

“It’s been 4 years of targeting young people even for the spread of coronavirus. They lived on their skin a policy of hostility, crushing their dreams and rights”, he said while again pointing out the “unprecedented establishment of the minimum import base” but also the “labor jungle” and “incidents of authoritarianism”.

“They have many reasons to use their weapon, which is their vote,” he said, also emphasizing that in the 17-45 youth polls, SYRIZA is significantly ahead. “Participation will judge the result, which is completely open now,” he added.

Zero VAT on items of immediate need

When asked about the VAT reduction and whether it is an effective measure, the president of SYRIZA commented that it is “very difficult to try to defend an argument that has no logic”. He noted that even the prime minister reduced VAT in specific sectors, such as construction and the tourist package, in order to increase competitiveness. The same, he said, will be done by SYRIZA to lower the prices of basic products.

“Let’s not try to clash with common sense”, he said, reminding that SYRIZA will introduce zero VAT in items of immediate need, while as he said it is particularly important to carry out “substantial checks” and not “monkey checks” “as the ministry is doing now Development”.