Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis was asked to comment on the downward trend shown by the government according to poll results, on the show “Today” on SKAI, stressing that it is a “matter of recording trends and we evaluate them seriously. We are in the 1/4 of the 4 years that we are called to implement a program. A lot remains to be solved.”

“Every day we solve problems”, he emphasized while referring to the new buses delivered in Athens and Thessaloniki as well as the Prime Minister’s announcement about the delivery of the metro on November 30. Also, the erga.gov platform was announced where the citizen can see the progress of projects and the implementation phase.

Double convergence

The goal, as the government representative said, is to reduce the gap with Europe, in terms of incomes, unemployment and the convergence of Attica with the rest of Greece.

“The average income of Attica is within the European average, which unfortunately is not the case in the region” he said and added: “Alas if we celebrated because we are in the last places. As dangerous as a celebration is because the country can go up 1-2 places, it is as dangerous as leveling.”

Continuing, he argued that the biggest problem that the prime minister was asked to take on was that Greece was in the “tartars” in terms of disposable income. People felt that the money was not enough even for the basics.” For the consumption index which, as he noted, is the one that tells the truth, Greece is at 79% of the average: “it needs work to reach the goal” he noted and added that there are 7 countries below it.

Eurostat

Mr. Marinakis, referring to Eurostat data showing how the GDP per capita is developing, underlined that from 2021 Greece will reduce its gap with Europe.

When asked why tax rates are not reduced, while there are increased revenues, Mr. Marinakis said that this happens for two reasons. One is that benefits have been enhanced and the other is accuracy.

Housing issue

Housing is a serious issue and the prime minister will refer to it at the TIF, stressed Mr. Marinakis. The prime minister, as he said, will announce the support for couples, while a larger program to upgrade student residences and hospitals is progressing.

Regarding the reduction of tax rates, he said that there will be if the public finances can bear it.

Health Problems

The government representative admitted that there are understaffing problems because the NHS is not attractive for a new doctor “we have reduced the difference with the salaries they received before the crisis, but we have no illusions”, he noted.

Elections will be held in 2027

Mr. Marinakis said, among other things, that the elections will be held in 2027, while regarding the scenarios for a new President of the Republic, he replied that “it is extremely premature and insulting to the institution and to the person, to discuss something that will take place in 2025”.

SYRIZA

Regarding the developments in the SYRIZA party, he said that “the lack of opposition is not an advantage”, noting, among other things, that history will show where it will end up.

Regarding the management of natural disasters and especially the recent fire in Attica, he said that “it was extremely difficult. The victims will be immediately rehabilitated” and added that 4,000 fires were treated with the exception of one very difficult fire.