“Mr. Androulakis’ program had many ambiguities, many cloudy spots”
The proposals of the opposition in Thessaloniki began the hourly interview with the Minister of State Aki at ERTNNEWS, Monday night. “We expected, and personally expecting, more responsibility”, on the other hand “And society is waiting for an official opposition that will be placed with knowledge, with documentation, with costing. We didn’t see this unfortunately »was the introductory comment of the minister, who added:
“Mr. Androulakis’ program had many ambiguities, many blurry spots. He had quite a few lies, a lot of half truths. “ And in costing, “based on 4-5 main proposals, it is valued at 4 billion, when the country’s fiscal space is 1.7 billion euros”. In other words, “we did not answer us (the President of PASOK – Nikos Androulakis Change Movement) from where the money will be found. He did not answer what is the way we will not be re -entered into fiscal surveillance or enhanced supervision »noticed.
On the subject of VAT, he characterized ‘Political Fake News’ PASOK and SYRIZA’s claim that the relevant Community Directive is mandatory. And he continued: “Our political philosophy is every measure to get a place”, in other words “we do not want to put money in the pockets of the intermediaries”.
And, in general for tax policy, “The government has reduced 25 indirect taxes and 83 in total, taxes from 2019 until today.” While the question of why VAT is reduced to the islands, although it does not prefer its total reduction in the territory, the Minister of State replied by saying that “even if it is not 100% effective, for the Aegean islands it is worth it”.
At the same time, he rejected the criticism of over -taxation: this would happen, “if we had increased taxes,” he countered and added: “ENFIA has decreased 35%. Business tax has fallen from 28% – 29% to 22%. The solidarity levy has been completely abolished. Income tax rates are reduced by 2 points and an additional 2 (units) for each child the family has. ” In fact, with France, “we can reduce taxes and increase costs,” he said.
Continuing with other economic policy issues, “we have the highest rate of investment, private and public growth in Europe. We have not yet reached the level of other European states by filling the investment gap of the crisis, but we are bringing investment. We have created 500,000 additional jobs, they generate additional income. The minimum wage increased by 35.5%, the average salary by 28% and at the same time as tax reduction increases the available income of citizens. “
Recognizing that “accuracy is a bit for all households”, he noted that “the total consumer price index in the rest of Europe has increased 26.5% in the last six years, and 21% in Greece”.
They say, “it is hypocritical to hear from the opposition parties about the low purchasing power of the Greeks when their own policies, the policies of over -indebtedness that lead to lower incomes.”
According to Mr. Skertsos, “the key word is” responsibility “. What we say, we want to do. “We said it and did it,” is the Prime Minister’s motto. We did not receive a… Switzerland nor did we promise that in six years we would become Switzerland. Step by step every year we manage to reduce taxes to improve incomes and fight for accuracy. “
Elsewhere in the interview, he turned his arrows against the government’s political opponents. As he said, “to call you the opposition” killer “,” smuggling “or” rapist “, these three characterize the tone and spirit of the opposition because it has no alternative proposal to governance and resort to hostility and toxicity. This does not characterize our own political reason, “he said.
Asked about the feasibility of the constitutional review, in this political climate, he argued that “the prime minister believes that it is worth making this effort, it is worth investing in consensus.” While referring to the events of the previous decade, when “we almost reached a social and political civil war, we almost came out of the eurozone. This was because some invested in money, in false promises. “
And then, “the opposition tells us that we are a government of excellent, anything else. First, the prime minister has shown by his example that when he is wrong, he recognizes it, apologizes but above all he tries to correct it. “ This, he added, “has never happened in the past and is a difference of political style and morality.”
Finally, “this is how we will be judged, that is why we are not influenced by the temporary democratic numbers, whether they are high or low”, although “it is obviously a very important scientific tool for polls”.
Asked about the next 18 months until the four -year exhaustion, “we have set very specific quality and quantitative goals. We are talking about a comprehensive transformation of the state and the economy. We recognize that we have a state that hurts citizens daily, “he said.
The questions on the government’s political objective followed: ‘In multi-crushes we need strong, one-party governments. This government and this prime minister have shown that they can make quick decisions, effective decisions that protect national interests, citizens, and do not expose us to international dangers. This is our belief, this is what we believe we need for the after 2027 period, “was the mark sent by the Minister of State.
If, however, he explained, “citizens believe that they do not want a one -party autonomous government, we will hear the crisis of citizens. But we are fighting for self -reliance. ” He reminded, however, that “in April 2023 the polls gave ND to 31% – 33%, not far from what they gave today. And yet the ND reached 41%. “
Also, with the finding that “de facto co -operative governments are slower”, A. Skertsos testified that “in a country, such as Greece, that needs to make a jump greater than the deterioration it carries, we need a decisive center of governance”.
While in the classic question with who the ND could work, he opposed that “with an opposition … Xyliou, an opposition that promises money, which has no sense of fiscal responsibility, is difficult to do … village”.
And, speaking shortly after the ruling party, “the ND is the large center -right line of the country, which, as its founder has said, serves the nation, serves national interests beyond and above the fake labels of the left, center and center. This is not what I say, the late Constantine Karamanlis had said. ” And, the next observation is that “no one can blame this government of endocerism, especially when we implement the largest investment program in national defense and security of 28 billion euros.”
Asked about the possibility of a return to the central political scene of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Mr Skertsos after saying that “the government does not choose opponents”, he noted for Pr. Prime Minister that “he has not yet done the self -criticism he owes”. This is because, as he argued, “it is not only judged for the Government of 2015 -19, it is not just for the extreme, populist opposition it practiced before 2015, it is also judged for the opposition made as a mature politician, a former prime minister, from 2019 to 2023. How the opposition managed the health crisis or that in 2023 it proposed a new Thessaloniki program, which would again throw the economy on the rocks. “
At the same time in the government “we believe in our program, in our work, the reforms that are being made and improve the lives of citizens. We believe that with a lot of effort, moderation and honesty we will be able to persuade that we have stood consistently in what we have promised. “
Next topic of discussion, the migration: “We have managed to control it much more than happened in 2015 – 19”, was the minister’s first observation, which continued: “We took very quickly, we are watching the phenomenon, we are in complete mobilization. The measures seem to have begun. New flows are mostly refugee profile, “he pointed out with the simultaneous message, “The country is not a vineyard, it should decide what and how many immigrants it needs.”
Last topic of discussion, OPECEPE: “We’re talking about a timeless scandal,” he said and “We fully assume the political responsibility for us for the period 2019 – 25”. But he said, “It was not easy to cross -checks because there was no land registry, there were no grazing plans, livestock registries and more. They are doing now. “
In the end, it is “a structural timeless weakness without a party color, which touches an important part of the rural base. No one will go unpunished, “he said, referring to the charges already made.
‘Nothing is going to stay in the shadow’assured and continued: “We do not capitulate to any of these dark aspects of the deep state.” While in closing, he described as “unfair and unjust” to go “directly to preliminary, on the contrary, everything must be examined, all the witnesses come and beyond the House to decide where to be responsible”.