In an interview with Action24, Pavlos Marinakis stated that the TIF is an institution and that the prime minister tries year after year to change what we were used to, that is, to be an occasion to hear benefits but to make an account with the key word accountability. “What we want, basically, is to describe how we will go about the remaining 3 years until 2027, what we have done in this time of the second four-year period and what the government wants to do with the main goal of double convergence, what we said in Thessaloniki. In other words, let’s get even closer to the European average in incomes and in many other categories. But also the convergence between Attica and the rest of Greece”, he added.

On the issue of imputed income and the abolition of the self-employment tax, the government spokesman emphasized that the government has only reduced or abolished tax rates and its aim is to continue to do so.

“It’s not the presumption, it’s the discussion. The debate is tax evasion. That is why the infamous bill of last November which caused reactions – which I understand to a very large extent, because you have to explain to the world what you are doing, the word “accountability” that I told you before, is the key word- , had a lot of things, which we see implemented: IRIS, the interface of cash registers with POS, the new way of controls that leads to results”, continued Mr. Marinakis.

“Not all freelancers are the same, not all categories are the same. That is why specific exceptions were included for the first 5 years, for cases which also give the possibility to question the presumption and, of course, without wanting to say that we will change the philosophy of the law, the prime minister in his speech will also announce some targeted interventions to make the system even fairer. So that there are no misunderstandings, what do we want? We want fairer taxation”, he added.

In fact, Pavlos Marinakis stated that those who said that Mitsotakis is accurate are refuted by the evidence. He noted that Greece is at about 30% in food inflation, meaning prices have risen by about 30%. “However, as the figures show, both in general inflation and in food inflation, we are slightly below the European average. That’s not success, I’m getting ahead of you. No! But it is profound populism when you represent a party, any party, to say that a problem which is wider is a problem created by a government. That’s why the government didn’t raise the prices, nor will it obviously, that is, if we start, as we have now, for three consecutive months reductions are only a product of the government’s policy”, he explained.

Mr. Marinakis emphasized that, in contrast to this, the government also increases incomes and creates jobs.

“With the creation of jobs, the average salary also increased. Why did it increase? Because this is how workers, in a country with unemployment below 12% now and with yesterday’s figures, are negotiating a better pay… And of course, fines, market control. Fines have been introduced that had not been introduced for decades to keep prices down. In school supplies we are finally seeing reductions,” he added.

He pointed out that IELKA says that for 3 consecutive months we have average reductions. “The goal is to continue on a downward path for prices and an upward path for incomes,” he added, noting that “we have given a sacred commitment for an average salary of 1,500 euros and we will keep it.”

Regarding the fish in Pagasitikos, Mr. Marinakis replied that it is a very serious issue and at the moment the state apparatus is looking for the responsibilities and is moving for the immediate restoration of this very bad image.

After a related question about the salaries of health workers, Mr. Marinakis stated that health has huge needs and that he has the feeling that there will be an important reference by the prime minister to the TIF. He said that at the moment the biggest program of the National Health Service to upgrade hospitals and health centers throughout Greece is being implemented, salaries and on-call hours have increased and soon we will have new important reports from the Prime Minister on health.

“Let’s wait and see what those will be”, he added while stressing that “the NHS is not collapsing” but “it has many problems that must be solved day by day”.

“We have no business getting involved with the internal affairs of other parties”, he answered regarding the developments inside SYRIZA.

He also stated that we will have elections in 2027 and that we will have announcements about the President of the Republic in time. “It is extremely premature to discuss the president of the Republic. Dot! And it is also harmful that this happens – not by you, you, obviously, ask what you want to ask, alas – by government officials or MPs. I believe that the Prime Minister will listen to all opinions when the time comes, especially from his Parliamentary Group. Of course. Traditionally, the Parliamentary Group has the most power in New Democracy”, he underlined.

The government spokesman also said that “we want to be judged in 2027, point by point, page by page on our program.”

Asked specifically about the President of the Republic, the government representative noted: “Ms. Sakellaropoulou is an extremely serious person, with a great career in the judicial branch. We honor her both for her face and for her role. Beyond that, we can’t discount anything, which is so many months in advance. Whether I tell you one or the other, it is institutionally impermissible. The President of the Republic is an institution. Regardless of person. Beyond, that is, absolute respect. It is a mistake to enter at the end of August, beginning of September in a discussion that is of January and February. When the time comes, we will have the relevant announcements and obviously we will also have this discussion.”