In a full -length interview with the show «Talk» and Takis Hatzis, the President of the Democracy Movement, Stefanos Kasselakishe criticized Alexis Tsipras and SYRIZA executives, presented his tax plan and was placed for international developments.
“Democratic Abyss” with the leadership of SYRIZA
At the heart of his criticism was found by Alexis Tsipras, with whom he typically said he is now separated by a “Democratic Abyss”. Mr Kasselakis argued that SYRIZA had never had the real intention of renewing or continuing his course without his former president. He even accused Mr Tsipras of owes a “big apology”, as the party’s base was deceived.
In a sharp tone, he commented that “all those who did careers on Tsipras’ backs are now begging him to take them to his new party.” Contrarying his own attitude, he said: “I am a democrat, progressive and worthy leftist. I love my homeland and I came to offer – not to apologize for the mistakes of others. “
Severe criticism of government and cartels
Despite his harsh criticism of his predecessor, Mr. Kasselakis did not hesitate to state that “Alexis Tsipras is a hundred times better than the one who rules us today”, however, noting that “this does not rinse his actions”.
His criticism was the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who accused him of “protecting the cartels that support him”. To reinforce his claim, he said that he personally appealed to the financial prosecutor for the cases of V+O and Lefteris Avgenakis in Crete, wondering why other politicians do not do so. “What are they afraid of?” He wondered, likening the political system to the “dime of Aegean” that “must clean”.
The New Social Contract: Taxation and Pensions
Stefanos Kasselakis presented specific proposals for the economy, stressing the need for a new social contract:
- Pensions and wages: Defined the 900 euros as the threshold for a decent pension, as “one cannot live with 600 euros”. He pledged to immediately restore Christmas and Easter for retirees, a cost of 900 million euros.
- Taxation: Suggested the abolition of ENFIA for property of fair value of less than 150,000 euros and its triplers for property more than 1 million. For businesses, taxation must be set at 17% for profits of up to 220,000 euros and 24% for the highest amounts. Finally, he suggested the reduction of VAT At 15%, assuring that “the citizen will see it in his pocket, not on the shelves”.
- Ministers’ responsibility: Reiterated his firm position to remove his Article 86 of the Constitution, stressing that “it is not possible to decide on the lives of others and have immunity.”
Vision for Greece in a new Europe
On international issues, Mr Kasselakis was in favor of a Europe with more self -sufficiency and federal cohesion, while urging Greece to open its trade towards the markets of Asia and Africa. Commenting on Donald Trump, he acknowledged that he “succeeded in a peace”, but noted that at the same time he gave Israel to intervene, concluding that “he is not a good president for America”.
Concluding the interview, he identified himself as a “activist of the new policy” and assured with complete certainty of the entry of the Democracy Movement to the next House: “We will be in the House. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here. ” On the possibility of post -election cooperation with PASOK, he said that “we are philosophically agreeing on many”, but put as a “red line” the abolition of Article 86 of the Constitution on Ministers ‘Liability, stressing the need for policies’ personal responsibility for their decisions.