EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON

A rough landing after the pre election promises for ‘relief’ measures and an end to the Memoranda  

The European Commision demands our total obedience to the troika’s dictates

For SYRIZA the potential placement of Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras as Governor of the Bank of Greece is cause for all out war.

The post-election message of the lenders to the Greek government is clear: continue with austerity, the anti-labour policies baptized as ‘reforms’ and selling off the ‘family silver’. Antonis Samaras, in the name of preserving stability, is ready to make good on what has been agreed and to ‘rip up’ – after the Memorandum [a pre 2012 general election promise] the pledges he made only last week over reductions in the tax burden and to right injustices. At the same time the cabinet reshuffle is developing into a headache with Yannis Stournaras being the major thorn. 

KATHIMERINI

Stournaras succession an open question 

A cabinet reshuffle likely tomorrow or after bank holiday Monday

The ‘key’ to the upcoming reshuffle is the successor to Mr Yannis Stournaras at the Finance Ministry. Mr Antonis Samaras and Mr Evangelos Venizelos are in open communication with the Prime Minister’s mansion rejecting scenarios that would see the Prime Minister himself adopt the role of Finance Minister. Additionally the likelihood has faded that Mr Stournaras will be succeeded by Mr Stavros Papastavrou as it is considered crucial that he remain on the Prime Minister’s staff. Due to pre-planned trips of Evangelos Venizelos as well as the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias if the reshuffle goes ahead this week the most likely day is tomorrow. If not developments will take place after the Bank holiday (Agiou Pnevmatos) on Monday the 9th of June.

NAFTEMPORIKI

Energy

‘Fast Track’ investments of 7 billion euros 

Twelve important energy investments totalling 7 billion euros, among which is the TAP (the Trans Adriatic Pipeline for natural gas) are to move forward under the ‘fast track’ legal framework for strategic investments following a decision by the relevant Bi-Ministerial Committee. While some of the projects have not been given the definitive green light (various problems have arisen) meaning that there is a possibility that they will not be constructed, Athens is placing particularly emphasis on the whole procedure as indicative of Greece’s capability to attract investments. 

ELEFTHEROTYPIA

THE MALL ATHENS: The biggest special favour (rousfeti) in Europe!

They don’t pay fines and now they are ready for… subsidies

  • A gigantic loophole to sidestep the Council of State ruling that found it illegal.
  • The shopping mall, which is already operating, is included among the ‘fast track’ investments!
  • 12 years of illegal operation and not one euro in fines


It has been dubbed the ‘biggest unlicensed building in Europe’ given that the Council of State in its final ruling ultimately deemed the construction of the 100,000 sq meter shopping complex illegal. Now, following yesterday’s decision of the Bi-Ministerial Investment Committee it is the biggest, special favour in Europe as the company that owns the mall – a Latsis family interest – is not required to pay a single euro in fines for building illegally but instead is retroactively included in the ‘fast track investments’ for ‘new projects’ in the mall that is already in operation!

 

 
 

DIMOKRATIA

Robbery for the self employed!

Tax insanity: a worker with an income of 6,046 euros per year will pay (to the revenue service) 4,115 (!!!) euros

Heat wave! In July both the first installment of the property tax (haratsi) and the first installment of income tax.