Fierce criticism of the opposition for outbidding each other on benefits, proposing free tickets on public transportation, was voiced by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis<\/b>.<\/p>\n
As he specifically stated in his remarks on Open, the opposition focuses on benefits without explaining how the fiscal space required to finance them will be created.\u00a0\u201cWhat the opposition is doing\u2014the two rivals of the official opposition, at least according to the polls\u2014 reminds me of people discussing another family\u2014where they\u2019ll go on vacation, what house they\u2019ll buy, without anyone having told them whether they can afford all of that<\/b>,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
The government spokesperson argued that the discussion cannot be limited solely to where resources will be directed, but must also include how new wealth will be generated. \u201cThe opposition talks about where money will be spent and how it will be spent, without describing how the conditions will be created to make the pie grow even bigger so that all this money can be distributed<\/b>,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
As he said, no one disagrees with measures that support citizens; however, the difference lies in how the necessary resources are secured. \u201cNo one is opposed to anything that helps people. We all want other taxes to be reduced; we all want even more to be given out. The difference between us and the other parties is that we outline and implement policies that grow the pie, increase state revenue, and at the end of the day create the conditions for measures that help society,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Responding specifically to proposals for free tickets, Mr. Marinakis countered with the tax breaks that have been enacted for young workers.\u00a0<\/b>\u201cFor every free ticket proposed by Mr. Androulakis, we are eliminating taxes for all young people across the country up to age 25.<\/b> It\u2019s money that a young person can spend however they want. We lowered the tax rate from 29% to zero, and for people up to 30 years old, to 9%,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
He argued at this point that these specific measures were not well received by the opposition parties when they were announced. \u201cThese measures\u2014the elimination of the tax and the tax cuts\u2014were not applauded by the opposition. They did not welcome with the obvious positive attitude a policy that concerns all the activities of a young person<\/b>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nRevenue first<\/h3>\n
Regarding PASOK, he noted: \u201cPASOK says it is coming to govern the country. Last time, they were talking about a four-day workweek.<\/b> It\u2019s worth taking a look at Mr. Androulakis\u2019s first proposal, before the filters kicked in. Then they realized it and pulled it back. A month later came the second flash in the pan<\/b>,\u201d he noted characteristically.<\/p>\n
Mr. Marinakis clarified that he does not dispute the opposition\u2019s right to submit policy proposals, arguing, however, that the essence of the disagreement lies in the order in which the measures are implemented.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not saying they don\u2019t have the right or that they can\u2019t submit proposals. Any measure that helps the people, in principle, finds agreement from me, the prime minister, and the government. What is our difference? We are implementing a policy that first brings revenue into the state coffers, which the opposition denounces as increased tax revenue.<\/b> And once we bring revenue to the state through our policy\u2014and I hope we can bring in even more\u2014we give it back to the citizens. That is the correct order,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n