Attack on the president of SYRIZA Stefanos Kasselakison the occasion of his criticism of the change in the way of taxation of self-employed professionals launched by the government, the government representative launched, Pavlos Marinakis answering questions at the political editors’ briefing.

“Mr. Kasselakis and a number of SYRIZA officials fail to understand the difference between tax revenues and tax rates, no tax rate is increasing, nor has it increased since 2019. On the contrary, in the budget there is a series of tax reductions, which are permanent, such as those in transport, gymnasiums and dance schools, among others. This is an arbitrary conclusion of the president of SYRIZA. Neither direct nor indirect taxes have increased,” noted Pavlos Marinakis.

In fact, when asked about this, the government representative described the statements of the Deputy Minister of Labour, Panos Tsakloglou, about the freelancers as incorrect and pointed out: “He realized it himself and apologized. Mr. Tsakloglou has given credentials of seriousness in his political journey, he has made it clear that he does not underestimate any professional category and we are moving on.”

In questions about the marriage of same-sex couplesthe government spokesman emphasized that “the prime minister has given a clear answer on marriage equality at the Thessaloniki International Fair, stating that this will be implemented within the second 4 years. How and when this will be done will be announced. This is a very important issue and the government intends to keep its commitments.”

Regarding the views he expressed during his yesterday interview in “Kathimerini tis Kyriaki” the former prime minister and president of New Democracy, Antonis Samaras, Pavlos Marinakis noted that “these are permanent positions of the former prime minister, the government continues to implement its program, as it has announced”.

Regarding the criticism of the president of SYRIZA on the Parthenon sculptures the government representative emphasized: “I don’t think Mr. Kasselakis understood, or rather he pretends that he didn’t understand. The prime minister reiterated with great clarity the country’s steadfast claim. When he takes walks in the wider area again, I advise him to enter the Acropolis Museum and learn some things, so that we can have a more constructive dialogue.”

Finally, regarding the possible involvement of the member of the ruling party, Michalis Livanou, in the case of the illegal nephrology center, Pavlos Marinakis referred to the detailed, as he described it, answer of his own member of parliament, who emphasizes that he has no shareholding relationship with the said centre.