In the debate on the state budget 2024, the general rapporteur of KO New Left, Efi Ahtsioglou, spoke about pursuing an economic policy that is an ally of the greed of the few and at the expense of the overwhelming majority. The government’s narrative of expanding wealth exists, but for a few, they have seen in the period of multiple crises, an unprecedented profitability, while the vast majority are under more pressure, said Mrs. Ahtsioglou, who presented survey data showing that 7 out of 10 Greeks feel and declare poor, a percentage which – as he said – is the second lowest in Europe.

“Are the Greeks unable to experience the benefits of the government’s economic policy?” asked Mrs. Ahtsioglum, according to which the reality is that the Greek economy remains vulnerable amid multiple crises, the steps the government has taken are steps of regression with an outdated model that traps the existing potential of the country, while the vast majority of citizens are squeezed more, their real income shrinks, and therefore they experience extreme insecurity.

Mrs. Ahtsioglou said that among the reasons for which its parliamentary group will vote against the budget, is the explosion of tax revenues, half of which comes from VAT, while these are falling in other European countries. Also, the failure to provide for new household support measures for the energy crisis and the accuracy crisis, while spending is being reduced in sectors such as Health and Education, the attack on workers’ incomes, which fell to the penultimate place in the OECD, the super profits of specific companies with the banks as champions, etc.

In closing, Mrs. Ahtsioglou said that the budget should prioritize the many. “It is not possible to regurgitate the false narrative of the so-called Greek successes, and at the same time citizens are entangled in incomprehensible equations, trying to choose the color of the electricity tariffhe characteristically said. Greek society, he said, “can get out of the tunnel of zero expectations in which the ND has conveniently trapped it, so that it appears itself as an uninvited messiah that helps it. The possibilities are there. Greek society can be emancipated and take the lead in its own more just future. What is required is a change of strategy. As long as we remain in the reproduction of the previous year, dead ends multiply. That is why the New Left votes against this Budget.