The platform for the Market Pass will be launched in September, with a double down payment, Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis said in an interview with the channel OPEN.
The official spoke about the current economic situation, inflation, the government’s goals in terms of supporting the poor and about programs aimed at supporting businesses.
Initially, Mr. Papathanasis spoke about the Market Pass, noting that “it’s better than the VAT cut. If, for example, we reduce VAT from 13% to 6%, as proposed by the opposition, to 520 euros, of which we receive 52 euros, the corresponding amount will be 32 euros. Therefore, we insist that it is also the right measure. In this way we support our economically most vulnerable fellow citizens. In addition, we introduce the “Family Basket”. We do not say that there is no inflation, but we have it below the European average.”
The Deputy Minister of Finance said: “So far, we are extending it for 3 months. Those who have money left on the card from the previous Market Pass program can use it until the end of August. However, it is first necessary that everyone’s tax returns be filed. Then we will get the data for 2022 and those who have applied will automatically join the Market Pass if their earnings meet the criteria. And new beneficiaries who did not apply (or those who were denied) will have to do so in September.”
Among other things, Mr. Papathanasis hinted that Market Pass cannot be renewedbut with respect to what is expected after October, when the support measure expires, with food prices, he was rather vague, saying: “We have to proceed very carefully. You know that the government is financially ahead of the investment stage. We introduced the bill before the execution of 50% of our election announcements.”
Asked if the government is asking citizens to save or cut costs, Mr. Papathanasis replied: “No, not at all. Our program is calculated, it is in the stability program, 9.1 billion euros have been allocated for it. And we passed 50% of the laws (promised during the election campaign) within the first month of government. This is proof that we do not “let words go to the wind.”
Concerning food inflation, which remains high, Mr. Papatanasis said that “in Greece it is one of the lowest in Europe. When we import raw materials from Europe, it brings down the prices of the products we produce here in Greece. Yes, it eats up income! And yes, we told the truth that we cannot fight inflation 100%. However, we are in solidarity with the citizens and are doing checks in supermarkets, that is, everything is possible in this situation.”
https://rua.gr/news/bissecon/56828-novaya-semejnaya-korzina-i-zhestkie-proverki-v-supermarketakh.html
When asked about the same products that are sold in Greece and Europe, why they are more expensive in our country, he replied: “There are some products that can cost more for reasons related to production, imports. And there are other products that are cheaper in GREECE. Most are cheaper.
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