New Democracy spokesperson Alexandra Sdoukou, speaking to OPEN, discussed the bill to protect borrowers, the substantive government measures that strengthen their position by creating a far more favourable framework, and the parliamentary process.
Ms Sdoukou said «this government has no problem withdrawing a provision when there are objections. The opposition raised objections, and that shows something worth pointing out: the parliamentary process is a living process, which is a positive thing for our democracy. Bills are not set in stone when they reach parliament; they are brought there to be discussed».
The New Democracy spokesperson said the opposition had double standards, complaining when it was not listened to but speaking of «government defeats» when its proposals were adopted.
Specifically, she said «there is political hypocrisy. I followed the debate on the social media ban a few days ago. I heard the opposition saying, more or less, "you are not listening to us, you are not listening to us. We put forward proposals and you do not listen, and in the end you voted for your own". But when a provision is withdrawn, they talk about supposed defeats. It is hypocritical».
Addressing the opposition on the issue of borrowers, Ms Sdoukou stressed that «Article 23 has been withdrawn. But the substance of the debate is that this bill contains measures that protect borrowers and set rules. I want to hear from the opposition now. Since the provision has been withdrawn, will they vote for all the remaining articles, which, one by one, contain highly positive measures for borrowers? Now that Article 23 is no longer there, will they vote in favour, or was it all just for show?».
She noted that «the opposition cannot present itself as socially sensitive and then refuse to back a bill that gives borrowers more rights to information, more opportunities to restructure their debts and stronger means of protection, and requires servicers to take on greater transparency and accountability obligations».
In closing, Ms Sdoukou said the government had taken significant steps to safeguard debtors’ rights and strengthen the obligations imposed on loan servicing companies.
«No other government has done so much to protect borrowers», she said.
SOURCE: AMNA