In a statement on Wednesday, the main opposition, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance Parliamentary Group President Nikos Pappas, said, "Mitsotakis promises tax reductions in response to New Democracy's collapse in the opinion polls. His promises, however, are not confirmed."
The SYRIZA spokesperson pointed out that confirmation was lacking "both in the 2025 state budget and in his pledges for high surpluses in the coming years."
The "leaking scenarios are good, but the ending of the play will be written by the people," he added, claiming that the "only solution is SYRIZA's proposal for an immediate cut in VAT and a change of the income tax brackets. The fiscal space exists. Will the government of excessive profits and surpluses dare to do it?"
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged to reduce taxes by 2027 during a special ceremony in Athens earlier on Tuesday. The ceremony marked the move of the country’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) to a new location on Pireos Ave. in Tavros.
He said “sustainably” slashing taxes was a top government priority, as was tackling tax evasion.
“As long as tax evasion is restricted, revenue will be added to state coffers, and we will continue to reduce taxes until the end of the government’s term,” Mitsotakis said.
Meanwhile, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said on Wednesday in an interview with Skai TV that the government is also focusing on tackling tax evasion.
"As the tackling and restriction of tax evasion advances, it becomes apparent that, based on this year's budget estimates, we will have an additional 800 million euros in revenues, which are not due to higher taxes, as no tax has increased. Based on official data, it is due to the implementation of measures such as linking POS with cash registers, cross-checking and inspections. This is the reason," Marinakis said.
He also revealed that 12 more taxes would be reduced, adding that 50 taxes would be reduced in the first four years.
"We look the citizens in the eyes and tell them that the least we will do is implement our programme, that is, our programme stipulates an average salary of 1,500 euros in 2027, the minimum salary of 950 euros, the tax reductions described in the programme. Twelve additional tax reductions will be voted in the budget (announced at the TIF) only for 2025," he stressed.
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