From free transportation and abolition of Panhellenic Exams up to increases in wages and public housing, the Hellenic Police is reinstating the logic of benefits without clear costs.
With a package of five announcements touching on nearly every aspect of daily life, Alexis Tsipras attempted to present the social face of ELAS, but at the same time reintroducing the familiar political formulas: bold promises, state intervention everywhere and limited answers regarding the actual fiscal impact of the measures it proposes.
The first step of the plan was energy, with the former prime minister promising a reduction of up to 30% on bills through a new contract system and an enhanced role for the Public Power Corporation. However, beyond the general description, it remains unclear how such a significant reduction in prices can be achieved in a fully interconnected European energy market, without incurring significant costs for the State or market distortions.
Public agency for loans and housing
The second proposal is based on the idea of creating a public agency to manage mortgage loans and real estate. Although it is presented as a social intervention in favor of borrowers, it opens up a major debate about who will finance the purchase or management of these loans and what criteria will be used to select beneficiaries. The image of a state once again assuming the role of “ultimate guarantor” brings back memories of policies that have been tried in the past with mixed results.
Free public transportation for all
The proposal for free public transportation in Athens and Thessaloniki is perhaps the most characteristic example of the philosophy that permeates the entire package. Mr. Tsipras himself estimated the cost at 200–250 million euros per year, without, however, explaining where the funds would come from to cover the loss of revenue for public transport operators. Once again, the announcement sounds appealing, but the funding equation remains unsolved.
Abolishing the Panhellenic Exams without a clear model
On education, the former prime minister revived the proposal to abolish the Panhellenic Exams, an issue that has consistently sparked intense reactions. Despite references to a fairer admissions system, no specific model was presented to ensure impartial procedures, meritocracy, and equal treatment of candidates. The announcement remains more of a slogan than a comprehensive reform.
Pay raises across the board
The package concluded with pay raises for doctors, nurses, and teachers, with Mr. Tsipras speaking of raises averaging 500 euros in the National Health System. This is a proposal that certainly sounds attractive to workers, but it comes with a massive fiscal footprint, the details of which—neither the amount nor the method of funding—have been clarified.
List of benefits
The picture that emerges from the five interventions by the Hellenic Police (ELAS) resembles a list of benefits more than a coherent governance plan. Price cuts, free services, state agencies, the abolition of exams, and wage increases make up a political menu where almost everyone gains something, but no one is told who will foot the bill. Alexis Tsipras’s return is thus accompanied by a familiar political logic: many “will”s, generous promises, and few answers regarding their sustainability.
