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Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the positive prospects created by the arrival of the vaccine, during his position at the ND Parliamentary Group meeting on the main topic of the 2021 budget, highlighting that “only a mass vaccination can put an end to this unprecedented health and economic crisis. that we face in 2020. ”At the same time, he pointed to the need to address the chronic problem of delays in awarding old pensions.
During his introductory statement, Mr. Mitsotakis noted that “the budget, has significant reserves, cash reserves to support the real economy and for the first period of 2021, where we know that these things will remain difficult. I personally have a moderate optimism that from the moment we end the pandemic, the recovery will be strong and dynamic “Especially in our country, because I think we have been laying the mat all this time with major infrastructure reforms so that we can launch exactly this rapid growth,” the Prime Minister noted.
As Mr. Mitsotakis added, addressing ND deputies, “the 21 budget actually has a lot of unbalanced factors. The most important thing, obviously, is how long the health crisis will last and this is obviously directly related to how quickly and effectiveness of vaccination because now we are quite sure that only mass vaccination can end this unprecedented health and economic crisis that we face in 2020. Obviously, the example of each and every one of us is very important at the local level and, as you already know, a methodical and organized vaccination plan will be prepared, which will include those who must be vaccinated, for example. And I think that at the local level it is extremely important ”.
With respect to pending pensions, the Prime Minister said this is a “first operational priority for 2021”.
The Prime Minister stressed that “on the one hand, I want to acknowledge the great progress that Giannis Vroutsis and Christos Halaris have made in the allocation of new pensions and this titanic task of digital modernization of a system that was extremely cumbersome, highly bureaucratic. I have asked you to to the governor of EFKA a business plan on how we can add strength at this time to the pension issuance process with experienced people whom we will seek to find, where available, so that we can liquidate the shares as soon as possible. of pending pensions. It is a my personal commitment and you will benefit from my personal care. “
Chr. Staikouras: significant recovery in 2021
“The budget predicts there will be a significant recovery in 2021,” Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said, noting that it is a “pro-development and investment budget.”
In his statement, the Minister of Finance reminded them permanent and non-permanent tax cuts implemented by the government:
– Reduction of personal income tax to 9%
– reduction of ENFIA
– exemption from ENFIA to the inhabitants of small remote islands
– reduction of the income tax of legal persons
– reduction of distributed profits
– reduction of insurance contributions
– Suspension of VAT on new buildings
– strong tax incentive for investments in green economy, energy, digitization
incentives for people to invest in startups
incentives for spending on scientific and technological research, non-dom.
Regarding the non-permanent interventions that the government has already implemented, Mr. Staikouras referred to reduction or zeroing of the tax advance, coverage of insurance contributions on nominal wages, coverage of employer insurance contributions in seasonal companies, compensation of tax obligations, deductions of tax obligations, reduction by three percentage points of insurance contributions, elimination of contribution.
“During the crisis we continued with tax cuts and we hope, when this parenthesis of the health crisis closes, to return to the correct fiscal policy of permanent tax cuts and insurance contributions,” said the Minister of Finance, adding that “as in ’20, like and the second half of ’19, therefore, in 21 no new tax is foreseen in the budget. “All the increase in revenue comes from the recovery of the economy.”
Referring to liquidity issue, Staikouras pointed out that to date 10.6 billion euros have been channeled to the real economy through TEPIX, Guarantee and Repayable Advance. And we estimate that some 1,500 million euros will be channeled in the next 20 days. Then I answer them in the liquidity part that important resources have been allocated to the real economy ”.
As for the measures to deal with the health crisis, he stressed that their amount “now in the budget we are debating, is 7,500 million euros, 7,500 million euros for the 21st and 24,000 million euros for the 20th ago. 31 “. 5. As the budget says, how much money from the Recovery Fund will we receive in the next few years? So, we are here for as long as necessary and as long as necessary. “He explained that 800 million euros were delivered out of budget to the Ministry of Health in 2020.” In the bag of 7.5 billion we have money for health, but how much will go to health depends on the course of the health crisis. “Whatever the Ministry of Health requests from the Greek government, the Ministry of Finance will have it, to strengthen public health.”
At the same time, as you have said, the budget is socially fair, since in 2021 the allowances are increased by 600 million euros. “OPEC has an additional 600 million in 21 to support vulnerable social groups,” he said. “So, in conclusion, the budget is realistic, it is developmental and pro-investment, it is reformist, it is flexible and socially just,” concluded Mr. Staikouras.
The KO Secretary, Stavros Kalafatis He thanked the ND deputies for their contribution to the difficult work of the government, without, as he said, this meaning that there is no room for improvement, with a much more active participation and positions in the Committees that are held to discuss the bills. , as well as assisting in governmental and legislative work, through cooperation with ministers and their associates.
The KO Secretary described the success of the vaccination as a “great bet” and in this context he also called on the ND deputies to act as good conductors of the message and to be the first to participate in the vaccinations that will be carried out in their Regions, following the Prime Minister’s example. During today’s session, 25 deputies have participated, while the Parliamentary Group will be held in the same way, online, once a month, while current conditions last.
