A meeting chaired by Stefanos Kasselakis, president of the Democracy Movement, was held this afternoon with the aim of finalizing and presenting the party’s position and proposals during the budget debate, which begins tomorrow in Parliament.

The Movement’s MPs, Alekos Avlonitis, Kyriaki Malama, Ralia Christidou, Iota Poulos, Theodora Tzakri, as well as Olympia Teliogoridou, former Minister and specialist in agricultural policy, took part in the meeting, along with the party’s staff of economists and collaborators.

During the meeting, all aspects of the budget were analyzed in depth, both by principle and by Ministry.

The president Stefanos Kasselakis, in his introduction, pointed out the following financial data, it is mentioned in the party’s announcement:

– Tax burden:

– Tax increase of 43.5% (21 billion euros) from 2021 to 2025.
– Increase in General Government revenues by 37 billion euros, with a disproportionate increase in spending (just 25 billion euros, i.e. 19%) from 2022.

– Fiscal Objectives 2024-2026:

– Government target: 7.3% of GDP (2.4%, 2.5%, 2.4%)
– European Commission Forecast: 9% (2.9%, 2.9%, 3.2%)
– Surplus: 1.7% (3.92 billion euros)

– Development Indicators:

– 21st place in Europe (2019-2023)
– Overall growth 5.8% (1.4% p.a.)
– 3rd highest trade deficit in the EU (14% of GDP)
– Last place in investment/GDP

– 2024 Budget Deviations:

– GDP: -0.7%
– Investments: -7.7%
– Unemployment: -1.1%

– Required costs for Convergence:

– Housing: 1.5 billion euro (0.7% GDP)
– SSY: 3.6 billion euro (1.6% GDP)
– Education: 2 billion euros (0.9% GDP).

He also noted that 16 Ministries show reduced funding as a percentage of GDP compared to 2024.

He explained that the party’s aim is to highlight the weaknesses of government planning, proposing alternative solutions that respond to the real needs of society, while at the same time ensuring the country’s sustainability and development perspective.