By Yannis Anifantis

The proposal of Sokratis Famellos for the presence of the state in the share composition of the National Bank in order for the state to contribute to “the restoration of healthy competition in the banks” added fuel to the fire of the political confrontation regarding the banks.

Intervening in the debate on the state budget in the Parliament, the new president of SYRIZA, put on the table of the public dialogue for the banks the proposal of Koumoundourou, in view of the announcements of the prime minister on Sunday – the last day of the debate on the budget – calling on the opposition to take a position .

“Cartels must be broken and this can only be done if the role of the State is strengthened. So what does this mean? Firstly, strengthening the functions of the State, i.e. strategic presence of the State in order to have competition at all levels. Secondly, an active presence of the state in the National Bank, and I am also referring to the share capital of the National Bank, so that it can play a sanitizing role in the restoration of healthy competition in the banks”, emphasized Mr. Famellos, adding that the strengthened role of the public sector does not mean sea loans, statism or rusfetological recruitments.

“You propose the nationalization of the National Bank. Let the public have a say in the interest rate decisions”, said Deputy Minister of Finance Thanos Petralias, taking the floor, pointing out that if this happened the banking institution would lose their license to operate. “The State cannot intervene in the interest rate decisions of a bank. If this happens, it is very likely that they will get the permission of the national team”, he said, adding that the competition is strengthened by adding other players.

“I don’t understand why you get so irritated when we say that the public should have a say in the banks”, the SYRIZA parliamentary representative, Nikos Pappas, retorted amidst tension in the majority seats, accusing the government of irresponsibility for the recapitalization of the banks.

“The shareholder cannot decide on interest rates. If the EU realizes that this is being done, it gets (the bank’s) permission. I repeat, you are confusing the concept of shareholder with the Board of Directors”, stressed Mr. Petralias.