With around 2.5 million pensioners in its sights, PASOK is making a forceful pitch for its ambitious proposals, particularly the 13th pension and the restoration of EKAS.From the first presentation of its policies at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) to yesterday’s event where Nikos Androulakis addressed the Supreme Confederation of Pensioners of Greece, its aim has been clear: to invite comparison with both the government and, above all, ELAS. Alexis Tsipras announced a few days ago a commitment to gradually restore the 13th pension, on condition that taxation of large fortunes and the patriotic levy provide the necessary fiscal headroom.
The need for immediate support for pensioners’ “children and grandchildren”, who are struggling with the cost of living, the housing crisis and low wages, explains why Mr Tsipras did not go into detail on pensions in his own TIF speech. His aides say he addressed the issue a few days ago to show that it is on his radar, but that he “will not make promises on paper” or mislead people, since he knows what fiscal headroom is available.
He also repeatedly points out that the Tsipras government introduced a proportional 13th pension despite the constraints imposed by the bailout programmes, only for the Mitsotakis government to abolish it immediately.
PASOK’s pledges
Mr Androulakis yesterday reiterated PASOK’s four main pledges to pensioners:
-The gradual restoration of the 13th pension for all pensioners, not as a one-off payment but as a pension.
He said the first phase would begin in 2027, at an additional cost of €420 million. The measure would be completed in the third year (of his government), at a further cost of €840 million.
-A new EKAS, with modern social criteria: for low-income pensioners receiving an individual pension of up to €500, or couples of pensioners receiving up to €800. The monthly benefit would range from €50 to €180.
The Pensioners’ Solidarity Contribution: ending the current absurdity whereby a pay rise for a low-income pensioner is wiped out because it pushes them into a higher band of the Pensioners’ Solidarity Contribution.
The pledge therefore involves a gradual overhaul of the Pensioners’ Solidarity Contribution, with the burden cut by 20% in PASOK’s first year in government and further reductions targeted in the years that follow.
PASOK has pledged that the full abolition of the personal difference will mean the complete removal of its effects. “No asterisks, no ‘yes, but’, no accounting tricks,” as Mr Androulakis put it.
ELAS: Public input into its programme
As for ELAS, Mr Tsipras’s team has got down to work preparing the party’s first congress, due to be held early in the new year. It will develop and approve “a comprehensive government proposal for political change in the country”.
To that end, the floor will be given not only to members but also to any citizens who wish to contribute to the discussion on the final shape of the programme.
Amalias aides say the consultation will include meetings with organisations and groups of citizens, giving them the opportunity to set out their concerns and proposals in direct discussions on the key issues affecting them.
That is because, they stress, “ELAS’s policies and programme are being shaped as a ‘movement’ from the bottom up, not the other way round.”