PASOK’s goal is “to have a reliable strong progressive force in the country,” the chairman of the party emphasized. Nikos Androulakis in a TV interview he gave to OPEN.

“For the New Democracy to flaunt all these mistakes and not pay them into the “piggy bank” of the elections, in my opinion, this should not happen again. More votes for official opposition than for New Democracy“, he said characteristically.

“We, as social democrats and as PASOK, insist that there are three big goals: first, one reliable production base. Sustainable development that can withstand global shocks, be it pandemics or energy crises, which Greece does not have. Secondly, fair taxation. And thirdly, powerful welfare state. I can take them one by one with official data and prove to you that the New Democracy has either failed or done the least,” said the president of PASOK-Movement for Change.

Mr. Androulakis responded to accusations by a New Democracy spokesman on the issue of indirect taxes.

“Right hand of the Prime Minister, Mr. Schertz, contrary to all economic theory, said that the reduction of VAT is convenient for the oligarchs and the rich. No economist in the world will tell you that. If you tell me what economic theory says this, I will really put my hands up. To understand the degree of ridicule, anger and contempt for our intelligence, in 2019 what I now support and condemn New Democracy was included in its program. It stated: “We are reducing VAT by setting two base rates of 11% and 22% from 13% and 24%.” We are proposing a VAT reduction on essential goods to protect the middle class and the weakest Greeks, whose accuracy is frustrating,” said Mr. Androulakis, explaining that the VAT reduction on essential goods is being proposed by the PASOK Movement for Change until then. as long as the crisis lasts.

“Mr Skertsos and Mr Mitsotakis say they have cut taxes and the Greek people have won 7 billion euros in four years. PASOK replies: “It really happened, but in two years you charged the Greek people 5 billion more VAT than was budgeted.” We note that during the energy crisis, if you made 5 billion, we must return the percentage of excess in relation to the budgeted VAT on basic goods and find a rate to reduce. This is a measure as long as there is an energy crisis and as long as prices are rising. The same applies to farmers and breeders, given that the measures we propose to reduce production costs are not permanent. This is as long as the crisis lasts. Now, if the economic situation in the country improves, we can talk about a horizontal VAT reduction in the future.

We are in favor of a horizontal reduction of indirect taxes, because we consider it a distorted model for the Greek economy that 2/3 of the taxes collected by the state are indirect taxes and 1/3 direct taxes. And, in fact, the terrible thing is that employees and pensioners collect the most direct taxes,” said Mr. Androulakis.

“Victory is earned, not given away. And especially in a party that fights against strong interests. I understand that an oligarch or a very rich person who today gives his child his million dollar villa duty-free does not like it when the party comes and says to him: “No sir, the middle and poor will have up to 800,000 without taxes, but you cannot, because it’s socially unfair.” He may not like it. However, I will call a spade a spade,” he stressed.

About her Dividend tax debate begins, Mr. Androulakis noted: “They lie to us about dividends. Here is a map of Europe for dividends. Now there is a single tax of 5%. Where is the 5% flat tax? Only in Lithuania. How do we feel about Lithuania? It’s that we have the worst health care system, as a result of which people pay huge amounts out of their own pocket for health and education. What are we talking about; Scalability. Up to 50,000, just like today, which is also the vast majority. I’m not talking about corporate profits, it’s a solid 22%. We, if it can be reduced, are for it to be reduced. We are only talking about dividends. What are we talking about; Up to 50,000, 5%. From 50-100 000, 10%. That is, so that the viewer can understand why the hype and the New Democracy media are lying to us: someone who receives 70,000 euros in individual dividends will pay 1,000 euros more, based on what we offer. Whoever receives a dividend of 120,000 euros will pay 4,000 euros. This applies to a few, it is three or four thousand.

“I do not protect the interests of 2-3 thousand families in Greece, as Mr. Mitsotakis does. But I want a fair tax system to solve the demographic problem.to ensure fair and sustainable development,” added Mr. Androulakis.

“Where are the great economists who during the years of the memorandum warned: “No more public debt” to say that today we have 50 billion more debts. Where are the big bankers who used to say “the trade deficit has destroyed Greece” today when we have the biggest trade deficit since 2010 and they don’t come out to talk? So, since they don’t say them, we’ll point them out. They promise to raise wages by 25%. They also made it a central advertisement. However, in the medium term, which they presented to the European Commission, the growth is a total of 13%. In other words, they are telling people before the elections that in the next 4 years we will increase your average salary by 25%, and in the plan that they presented to the EU, only 13%,” said PASOK President. indicators.

“Since yesterday I have been reading a general unofficial article on all Greek websites. But they can’t make a report to see Spain’s growth rate and reproduce Maximus’ unofficial article? Are they trying to convince us that VAT on essential goods in Spain is greatly reduced? However, even there, the European Commission refutes the New Democracy propaganda, demonstrating that the reduction of VAT on basic goods in Spain has helped the poorest Spaniards. Let’s stop this extreme propaganda that is not conducive to serious public discussion,” concluded Mr. Androulakis.

asked about her the possibility that the New Democracy will not achieve self-sufficiency, Mr. Androulakis emphasized: “On the first Sunday, we were afraid that we would find SYRIZA and Varoufakis. Will PASOK, who kept Greece in the euro, get along with Varoufakis? It played on the totalitarianism of the New Democracy media that the party that kept Greece in the euro would find him with Varoufakis! So, Mr. Mitsotakis succeeded, whatever he achieved. Are they now cultivating a second fear? Rather, following the results of the first Sunday, he can start reviewing the constitution without reporting to anyone“.

With information from APE-MPE