Former Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, called on the caretaker governent to freeze the 23 per cent VAT on private education and promised to suspend it, if Syriza wins the upcoming elections.
The measure has sparked controversy in Greece and the government claimed that it was part of the requirements demanded by the creditors for the release of the third bail out. New Democracy leader, Vaggelis Meimarakis, whose party had voted for it on 15 july, has blamed Syriza for not proposing instead an equivalent alternative.
European Commission spokeswoman Annika Breidthardt, said on Tuesday that the unpopular measure was not part of the agreement text but it was proposed by Greece during the negotiations. The VAT tax is expected to bring some 350 million euros in revenue by the end of 2016.
Interim deputy Finance Minister said on Greek television that his ministry is pushing to freeze the VAT increase until the September 20 elections.