In order to reduce direct taxes on citizens and support vulnerable people, the ITH package will aim to be finalised in August, as Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said on Tuesday.
As he reminded, speaking to the SKAI, "last year we relied on additional revenues from growth and reduction of tax evasion, we abolished taxes for young people 20-25 years of age and reduced them by 50% for ages 25-30.".
"The ICU package will be as large as possible, but have no doubt that opposition parties will certainly take much more from the New Democracy. We'll take the least and do everything. People know this, so I think the ND will go well in the next election," added Mr. Hatzidakis.
"We since 2019 have been moving on with a household, common sense and steady steps. We're not miracle workers. If some seek miracles they should address elsewhere. Let them go to opposition parties that come back with the same populist recipes and lies," the Deputy Prime Minister continued.
As far as opposition is concerned, he spoke of "toxicity, enmity, sprayed theories in some parties and populism that transcends any limit" citing the example of Nikos Androulakis' promises for free means of transport for young people up to 24 years old to whom Mr. Tsipras volunteered with a promise for free means for all. "These are not serious things," stressed Kostis Hatzidakis.
In question of polls, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that after 7 years of government it is reasonable to have fatigue in a portion of society, but the ND continues to lead.
"The sure thing is," he concluded, "that we are ahead and that we must continue our work with modesty, seriousness and effectiveness. Despite the mistakes made, it is certain that the country in recent years has risen to many different levels. Unemployment fell from 18 to 8% and 560,000 new jobs were created. Deposits increased significantly, from 140 billion to over 200 billion and three fifths of the increase came from households. In tourism we are the top 10-12 countries in the world having 40 million tourists and the country converges on the EU average. We will continue as effectively as we can, we will present our agenda for 2030, for which the Prime Minister has done me the honour of entrusting me with coordination and we will proceed on the basis of common sense and good European practices to respond to the needs of the country and the new era.".