Answer to the Government’s objections to the economic program of SYRIZA-PS, the representative of the party gave Voula Kehagia.

In her statements to SKAI, she mockingly mentioned that “Mr. Mitsotakis yesterday in the Parliament was large, as he discounted the costing of the SYRIZA program, after estimating it at 40 billion, in contrast to Mr. Skertsos, who had calculated it at 80 billion.”

He clarified that “this assessment is not from the General Accounting Office of the State, it is from New Democracy” and made it clear that “SYRIZA is committed to the return of the 13th and 14th salary to the State, a measure that the ND does not even agree to discuss in order to strengthen the incomes of public servants. And, at the same time, he will fight for a 10% increase in their wages.”

Continuing he said: “We thank the General Accounting Office of the State for working overtime in order to cost the proposals of SYRIZA, a few hours before the pre-scheduled debate in Parliament, where Mr. Mitsotakis would also speak. However, we must point out that the GLK overlooks some points from our program, which we certainly call on the government to implement:

– He overlooks that the abolition of advance tax does not have a fiscal cost, but only a cash one – and a temporary one at that.

– We do not propose to apply the VAT reduction of the high rate from 24 to 21% from 2024 but from 2025.

– The GLK, the government as a whole, do not take into account SYRIZA’s proposal to tax, with a rate of 90%, the surplus profits of banks, energy companies and refineries”.

He accused the ND that “he is mocking the Greek society regarding the super profits of the energy companies, obviously and it is not only 90 million euros. Mr. Mitsotakis claims that SYRIZA’s proposal to tax banks’ excess profits will lead them to closure, which is unabashed risk-taking.”

In closing he argued: “Regarding the bills and amendments brought by the government to the Parliament, they are not accompanied by a cost estimate that contains specific amounts, but only by general reports. In other words, we have the following paradox: the proposals of the official opposition are thoroughly costed, but not the government’s bills. In any case, the SYRIZA program is absolutely costed and there will be no deviation”.