The president of the New Left Parliamentary Group launched an attack on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Alexis Haritsisin the discussion about accuracy.

“Frankly, it amazes me that Mr. Mitsotakis repeated for the umpteenth time the same arguments that he has been saying for 3 years now, while accuracy rages. And of course he told us again that his government has done everything right and is not to blame for anything. The only new thing we heard from Mr. Mitsotakis is that he is fighting against the multinational giants! Who; Mr. Mitsotakis! Okay, mercy somewhere! Even mockery has its limits!” said Alexis Haritsis, starting his speech.

He referred to the Palestinian saying:

“We are not afraid to stand by the side of the persecuted Palestinian people, who are in danger of annihilation by the Netanyahu regime. We are not afraid to stand on the right side of history. The ND government is playing the role of a useful ally.”

He then addressed the MPs of SYRIZA-PS saying:

“Really, colleagues of the official opposition, do you believe that a genocide is underway in Palestine? Why hasn’t your president said it yet” and added: “The New Left has made a very specific proposal for the country to get on the right side of history by recognizing the Palestinian state. You, Mr. Famelle and Mr. Androulakis, must take your position.”

He accused the government of “following a disastrous foreign policy”. “You’re turning the Balkans into a firehouse again,” he said, noting: “You’re playing the ears of the far-right inside and outside your party and fishing for votes in the murky waters of the far-right audience. You acted, in effect, as a sponsor of the North Macedonian nationalists. By VMRO. You do the same with Albania. With the case of Beleris, which you put him in a prominent position on your party’s European ballot paper, you chose to make this problem, a problem between the two countries. And lest we forget, we are talking about a man who has been convicted by a Greek court of transporting explosives with the aim of sabotage.”

He then addressed the main issue of ‘accuracy and disposable income’ saying: ‘What is the government’s dominant narrative here? That accuracy is an international problem. It’s not the government’s fault. But while in Europe inflation is decelerating, in Greece, in critical sectors, and especially in food, inflation is running at double the prices than in Europe.”

Mr. Haritsis accused the government of maintaining accuracy because it translates into more revenue for the state, especially from VAT on consumption and added: “The overperformance of tax revenue in the period 2021-2024 is mainly due to inflation. Of the 15 billion increase in tax revenue in recent years, 7 billion is from VAT. Greed inflation, bad lies, is a redistribution mechanism. Violent and unfair. Redistribution from the bottom up”.

He focused his fire on the Prime Minister saying:

“You deserve congratulations, Mr. Mitsotakis. In the 50 years of Postcolonialism, no other prime minister followed such an extreme class and socially unjust policy. No other prime minister has so favored the rich at the expense of the poor. With 7 out of 10 households stating that their income has decreased. Remember when we used to talk about the two-thirds society? Now, with the Mitsotakis government, we are talking about a one-third society! This is the financial miracle you are bragging about, Mr. Mitsotakis!”.

He also referred to the Prime Minister’s letter to the outgoing President of the Commission: “Honestly, do you have the impression that you are addressing fools? Are you throwing a purely pre-election bubble on the table to fool people that you are actually doing something, while at the same time insisting on the scenario that this government is not to blame for anything? Finally stop the games” he noted.

He then developed the proposals of the New Left:

“If you want to be effective you have tools available. Cut indirect taxes to prevent the obvious: the disproportionate burden of the lower classes from the inflationary crisis,” he said and added:

“Why don’t you impose a ceiling on all products, and there are too many of them, in which there are currently extreme price differences between Greece and other European countries? So, Mr. Mitsotakis, your letter to Ursula von der Leyen is a pre-election firework. The problem is not European. The precision has the Mitsotakis signature. Why do you work as an employee of multinationals and a defender of the interests of super markets.

The reality, Mr. Mitsotakis, is one: your administration has marked the violent contraction of the purchasing power of wage earners. The minimum wage increase affects only 15% of workers. The longer you delay in incorporating the European Directive – which is still being prepared – on collective labor agreements, the more unprotected the workers will be.”

But he also responded to the prime minister’s arguments for the development of the Greek economy: “In the first quarter of 2024, the current account deficit increased by 255.3 million euros compared to the first quarter of 2023, exceeding 4.2 billion . euro. The same alarming data can be seen if we also look at the evolution of Foreign Direct Investments, which in 2023 alone will “plunge” by 38.7% and sector-wise, half are concentrated in the construction industry and the real estate market, and secondarily in tourism, services and retail”.

But he also turned his fire against SYRIZA, arguing: “What does SYRIZA’s proposal do for the tax system? An opposition that embodies neoliberalism’s dominant logic on taxation is part of the problem, not part of the solution.”

In general, he referred to the European elections:

“The Right in Europe and Greece is unable to manage Europe’s crisis because it created it itself. The Mitsotakis government and the big financial interests are doing everything they can to cut short the dreams and expectations of the citizens. They do everything they can to “shrink” their lives – to convince them that they don’t deserve anything better.

We tell them the opposite. We tell citizens that they have every right not to settle for the little that is left to them. They deserve more, they deserve more. They deserve and deserve higher wages and lower prices. They are entitled and deserve quality and free public health and education, decent housing, human daily life, rights for all. They deserve and deserve peace and justice.

On June 9, citizens have the opportunity to say at the ballot box that they deserve and are entitled to more, disapproving of the Mitsotakis government.

The alternative to Mitsotakis, however, will not come from those who try to approach the program of the Right. There will be no progressive alternative through lifestyle and restoration of the past. An alternative to the Right can only exist through a clear program proposal that will promote the redistribution of social income for the benefit of the majority. An alternative to the Right will only exist with a strong Left.

With the New Left ballot, citizens can make their “wants” heard. To give strength to the Left. To take the first step to form an alternative solution to the Right. On June 9, citizens can give voice to their right by voting for the New Left.”