Development Minister – The government only makes tax cuts and no increases

The Minister of Development and Investment, Adonis Georgiadis, referred to the inflationary pressures that the Greek economy is under but also to the new plan for dealing with the pandemic, speaking today on ANT1 channel. According to the minister, most likely tomorrow, the political leadership of the Ministry of Health will announce the new plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Regarding the parades for the national holidays, Mr. Georgiadis said that the government’s will is for them to take place, but it is reasonable to have doubts about the areas where the epidemiological data are burdened. He noted that tomorrow there will be announcements and on this by Health Minister Thanos Plevris, while he added that he regrets the low vaccination rates in northern Greece.

Commenting on the deaths in our country from complications of the coronavirus in relation to other European countries, Mr. Georgiadis said that recently the rates are indeed increased and this is due to the low vaccination rate in our country which is around 65%, while for example in its countries northern Europe it exceeds 90%.

Compensation

Asked if there would be compensation and support measures for those affected by the measures taken in areas with a high epidemiological burden, he ruled it out, saying the economy would not be able to withstand a new round of benefits. He stressed that the real responsibility for this situation lies with those who choose not to be vaccinated.

Referring to the inflationary pressures on the Greek economy, Mr. Georgiadis said that our country has lower inflation than most European countries. He added that the current government from the first day it took office has only made tax cuts and no increases.

But if the government undertakes a big reduction, for example, in the Excise Tax, which he admitted is too high, it will have an impact on public finances.

Mr. Georgiadis assured that as long as growth proceeds, at this rate, then the government will have the opportunity to consider other measures to reduce taxation and relieve citizens.