By Antonis Anzoletou

The battles of budgets in Parliament, especially at the beginning of a government term, they rarely make big news or signal developments. Unless a majority MP votes against it or an opposition member or independent MP supports the flagship bill of the year. This was done, for example, by Theodora Megaloikonomou in 2018, coming from the Union of Centres. The budgets, in addition to drawing up the economic and social strategy of the respective majority, mark the political year that has begun. The thermometer traditionally rises on the last day when political leaders take the floor. During the period of the memorandums, the conflicts were many and stormy. Since then the spirits have calmed down.

Since the post-colonization, it is the first time that nine parties will vote for or against the country’s top bill. The formation of the New Left confirmed the fragmentation of the center-left, while the absolute dominance of the New Democracy, as shown by all opinion polls, remained unshaken. The four days left until the Sunday rather it will be a “street fight” of the opposition forces rather than the traditional conflict of government – with the second party. A game of impressions against SYRIZA who has the title of official opposition, but polls have already dropped him to third place with KKE to threaten him. She will also try to enter the frame New Left with Efi Ahtsioglou assuming the role of rapporteur yesterday. There is currently no formation that could threaten Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ first place, even if Stefanos Kasselakis tries to give “injections” of morale to his audience by claiming that everything is possible.

THE The 2024 budget is the first drawn up after 13 years with the Greek economy having recovered investment grade. The atmosphere is heavy anyway, as it takes place in the shadow of the developments in relation to the blind violence in the stadiums and the investigation of the action of criminal organizations in the field of sports. Yesterday, with his statement, Kostis Hatzidakis set the tone of Megaros Maximos: “the government implements a policy that produces results for the economy, produces results for the citizens, produces results for the most vulnerable”, he said characteristically.

The budget provides, among other things:

– Maintaining high growth rates at 2.5% for this year and 2.9% for 2024. GDP is expected to increase to 233.8 billion euros.
– Strengthening of investments which are estimated to increase by 15.1% in 2024.
– Public debt will de-escalate to 152.2% of GDP at the end of 2024 from 160.5% of GDP in 2023.
– Inflation is expected to ease in 2024 to 2.6% from 3.9% this year.
On the opposition side, the criticism during the first day of the debate focused on the fact that the government brought to Parliament a budget that does not listen to the problems of the citizens, such as punctuality, taxation and the energy crisis. The “main menu”, as always, will follow on Sunday where the political leaders will take the floor and the “300” will vote.