Discontent destroys "happy showcase" government: budget 2026 – “taxes for many, benefits for few”

Polls show a growing gap between what the government says and what society perceives. The draft budget for 2026 includes additional increase in tax revenues by 2.649 billion euros. The opposition harshly criticizes the document.

Negative ratings New Democracy and criticism of the budget complicate the government’s attempts to portray the economic situation in a favorable light. Real incomes and people’s sentiments do not confirm the stories of strong economic dynamics.

According to the study Metron Analysis (Mega, 11/21/2025)citizens consider the main problems high cost and economyand these figures are increasing compared to previous measurements. The government’s economic policy receives 79% negative ratings – the worst indicator among all areas.

Opposition parties criticize the government for collecting about 6 billion euros through indirect taxes, which hit people with low incomes harder, and only returns 1.7 billion eurosmainly wealthier layers.

The government claims that this “realistic and socially oriented budget”and the Greek economy will grow faster than the Eurozone for the sixth year in a row. It is this line that the cabinet intends to defend in parliamentary debates.

Key figures for the 2026 budget

The budget provides for an increase in tax revenues to 73.52 billion euros (+3.7%). A reduction in inflation is envisaged, although such forecasts, as practice shows, often turn out to be overly optimistic.

Economic growth is projected at 2.2% in 2025 and 2.4% in 2026 (for the Eurozone – 1.3% and 1.2%). Nominal GDP should grow from 248.7 billion to 260 billion euroswith inflation decreasing from 2.6% to 2.2%.

Opposition: “Inflation tax” and “injustice of ND”

PASOK notes that the “inflation tax” continues to reduce the real incomes of citizens: out of 2.5 billion euros of additional revenue 1.6 billion compiles VAT. From 2019 to 2025, tax revenues increased by 43.8%and VAT receipts are more than 65%.

The opposition believes that economic growth is reflected only in reporting, and not in people’s lives. The sharp increase in investments is due to the need to urgently use funds Recovery Fundwhich expires next year.

SYRIZA blames the government for allowing an unfair VAT to continue to weigh on the majority, while wealthy dividend recipients are effectively exempt from income tax.

“New Left” They consider the budget a reflection of the ND policy: cheap growth at the expense of lower real incomes, pressure on workers and increased inequality. Party leader Alexis Haritsis states that the government has been acting on one principle for 6.5 years – “it takes from the majority to give to the minority.”

Haritsis adds: “Mitsotakis celebrates as if he has done a great deed, although out of 6 billion euros the state returned only 1.7 billion to people – and then mostly to the wealthy. This deepens inequalities. The government does not index tax scales to inflation and does not tax large fortunes. People receive increases below price increases, and their real income decreases.”.

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