Greece to Announce Over 1 Billion Euro Economic Package at Thessaloniki Fair, Criticizes Opposition

Greece is preparing to announce a package of economic measures valued at over 1 billion euros during the upcoming Thessaloniki International Fair, according to government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis. The final decisions on the allocation of these funds will be made by the Prime Minister, contingent on the available fiscal space.

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The Prime Minister is the one who ultimately decides where the money will be distributed. I know about a package of 1 billion euros, which might be a little more.

Marinakis stated that the Ministry of Finance estimates the available fiscal space will exceed 1 billion euros, with the possibility of the final package being even larger. He attributed the government's capacity to implement new measures to improvements in public finances. Marinakis argued that increased tax revenues stem from economic growth, reduced tax evasion, and job creation, rather than higher tax rates.

"The Prime Minister is the one who ultimately decides where the money will be distributed. I know about a package of 1 billion euros, which might be a little more," Marinakis said, adding that the government's approach is to "first find the money and then decide how it will be returned to the citizens."

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The government's logic is 'first find the money and then decide how it will be returned to the citizens.'

The government spokesperson also criticized the opposition party PASOK for proposing measures without detailing their funding. He specifically pointed to PASOK's proposal to reinstate the 13th pension, estimating its cost at approximately 2.5 billion euros, and argued that the party has not presented equivalent measures to cover this expense, rendering their proposals unrealistic.

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These people were unjustly put on trial.

Regarding the OPAPECPE case, Marinakis accused PASOK of prematurely labeling New Democracy MPs as "suspects" before judicial proceedings concluded. He noted that out of 13 MPs whose immunity was sought, nine were not indicted due to a lack of evidence. Marinakis stated these individuals were "unjustly put on trial" and called for an apology from PASOK. He also mentioned that the OPAPECPE case has cost Greek taxpayers around 3 billion euros in fines over the past 30 years. Concerning the four current New Democracy MPs facing charges from the European Public Prosecutor's Office, Marinakis reiterated that there is no reason for them to be excluded from the next elections, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until a final court decision.

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There is a presumption of innocence until a final court decision is issued.