By Yannis Anifantis

Further reduction of commissions, strengthening of liquidity and a more active contribution on the part of the banks to deal with the big housing problem will include the new framework promoted by the government for the banks, as the Minister of Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, said from the floor of the Parliament.

Rejecting PASOK’s amendment for the extraordinary taxation of banks’ profits, Kostis Hatzidakis argued that it is not the right time for their taxation, pointing out that “the government will proceed not with populist solutions but with solutions that take into account the real problems and reflect the needs of citizens and bank customers.”

The position of Nikos Androulakis was preceded, on the occasion of the two amendments that PASOK has tabled for the banks and the golden visa, with the president of PASOK declaring from the podium that “our purpose is to pressure the banks to change their policy, while the government is doing Pontius Pilate in all oligopolies”. The president of PASOK accused the government of “populist and communicative patches”, stressing that: “PASOK says so far with these practices, with actions, with an institutional attitude and not communicative shows”. “After 2019, medicine became medicine. There is no housing supply, so rents are rising”he added referring to the second amendment to limit the golden visa.

“I think you took the manual of populism and tried to apply some basic guidelines. Taking advantage of the ambient atmosphere of years, you end up with the classic, you tax the banks heavily”Kostis Hatzidakis responded by taking the floor, accusing PASOK of an obsession that led it to lose its measure, regarding the golden visa amendment.

“Everyone is judged by the footprint of their politics. The footprint of your policy in 2009 was the country on the verge of bankruptcy and in 2024 the footprint is that the people you govern have the 2nd lowest purchasing power out of 27”replied Nikos Androulakis, arguing that the banks should repay the people for the sacrifices they made to save them. “This attitude of nihilism, excuse me, is not an opposition. It goes beyond all limits. I understand your need, but luck will not always help you, you have to help yourself too, you are constantly reminded of the shadow of your old self”the Minister of Finance commented decisively.