Gov't to support low-pension earners, lower VAT on beverages, FinMin says
In an interview with ANT1 TV station, the finance minister admitted that the abolition of a special supplement payment for low-pension earners was one of the biggest defeats for SYRIZA. "We are considering its restoration in a different form, that is more focused," he said. Tsakalotos noted that, unfortunately, there is no fiscal room to lower VAT on served drinks also, while commenting on incentives for prompt payment of taxes, he said the ministry was examining offering a 2.0 pct discount for those that fully paid off the taxes they owe in a single installment.
Tsakalotos stressed that the package of positive measures announced last week "were not pre-election measures. All these have begun in August after the end of the memoranda. We have a plan. This is our plan: to exit the memorandum and to slowly introduce benefit measures. We know that things are not good. People face difficulties".
The finance minister criticised the main opposition New Democracy party for tabling more generous amendments in Parliament but without presenting their cost. He added that the government reduced a special property tax this year and will continue doing so next year.
Source: ana-mpa