PASOK has sharply criticised Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s Sunday review, with the party’s spokesman, Kostas Tsoukalas, describing the government’s pledges as “empty promises” and accusing the prime minister of presenting a picture at odds with the reality experienced by citizens.
The statement focuses on the management of the energy crisis, fuel taxation, pension increases and the personal difference. PASOK also says the government is introducing measures only after pressure from the opposition and other European countries, according to the press release.
Tsoukalas: “A Sunday post from an alternate reality”
In his statement, PASOK’s spokesman suggests the prime minister change not only the format of his weekly review but also its title.
“We would suggest that, instead of trying out changes to the format of his Sunday post, the prime minister change its title. Rather than calling it a weekly review, he should call it a Sunday post from an alternate reality,” he said.
He argues that Kyriakos Mitsotakis presents “a different Greece, with a different government and a different prime minister” every Sunday, adding that the government portrays itself as being at the forefront of European decision-making, while, PASOK says, measures are introduced at the last minute after pressure from the party and other European countries.
Criticism over energy costs and excise duty
Kostas Tsoukalas places particular emphasis on the cost of the energy crisis for households and businesses. According to his statement, the burden from rising prices for electricity, natural gas, diesel, heating oil, petrol and liquefied petroleum gas amounts to €450 million a month, after support from the state and refineries is deducted.
PASOK says European and Greek energy policy should focus on security of supply, with adequate fuel volumes, and on bringing prices down. It also accuses the government of maintaining a high tax burden, noting in particular that it is not considering a cut in the Special Consumption Tax (SCT).
Criticism over the personal difference and VAT
PASOK’s spokesman also criticises the government over the issue of the personal difference in pensions. He says that although the prime minister had pledged to abolish the personal difference in full from 1 January 2027, planned changes to the way pension increases are calculated could limit the benefits for pensioners, according to the statement.
In particular, PASOK says the Labour Ministry plans to calculate increases on the basis of the combined amount of the national and contributory pensions, excluding the personal difference.
Kostas Tsoukalas links the issue to the promise of an across-the-board VAT cut, which, he says, was not delivered, concluding that citizens now know that New Democracy’s pledges are “empty promises”.