SYRIZA and PASOK are proposing a permanent reduction in VAT on food and VAT on fuel, without saying which taxes they will increase, says the representative of New Democracy Akis Schertsos, accusing the opposition parties of not proposing responsible measures, but failed measures like the Spanish government’s.

“SYRIZA and PASOK finally reveal their common soul in the process to acquire a common “flesh”. While we are bombarded daily with terrifying theories of windfall taxes that brake growth, drive away investment and new jobs, they persist in a big lie. They are proposing a permanent reduction in VAT on food and VAT on fuel, without saying which taxes they will increase on a permanent basis to cover the 3.5 billion euro gap that will arise in public revenue, in order to finance permanent expenditure on public health, education and security” emphasizes the ND representative.

“We remind them that permanent tax cuts require permanent equivalent – and not emergency – fiscal countermeasures. So we are waiting for them to tell us what taxes they will raise cto secure 3.5 billion euros in revenue on a permanent basis” he adds.

In addition, notes Mr. Skertsos, they do not explain to us why in the Spain of the socialist Sanchez government that tried the same VAT reduction measure, this reduction did not reach consumer prices and food inflation continues to run at a higher rate than Greece.

“If political powers were responsible, they would propose correspondingly responsible measures. But they operate, unfortunately, as complaint parties who abhor responsibility and make fun of citizens to their faces. Unfortunately, they did not understand any of the messages of the first ballot while they are revealing – intentionally or unintentionally – what their ambitions are for the second,” Mr. Skertsos concludes.