EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON

Selling compassion: Before the elections they suddenly remember the homeless

After their policies intensified the problem of homelessness, now they’re taking measures

Even the coalition partner PASOK reacted negatively to the pre-election prime ministerial announcements regarding compassionate policies and the protection of the homeless. PASOK HQ was taken by surprise and blindsided by the announcement and spoke of old party politics and accused New Democracy of being disingenuous. A few hours earlier, the Prime Minister, after three years of continually increasing the number of homeless people, announced the creation of an Emergency Assistance Center for the Homeless, which will house 80(!) people and will be operational in one and a half months.

 

 

NAFTEMPORIKI

The fiscal data for 2013 has been finalized:

The social dividend remains while the surplus shrinks

Eurostat announcement expected next week

The announcements by Eurostat next week will determine the height of the primary budget surplus of 2013 which will be higher than the original target of the Finance Ministry, but lower than the level of 3 billion euros which was announced by the government last month. According to the figures sent to Eurostat by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, the primary budget surplus in 2013 came to 3.4 billion euros. However, after deducting the ANFAs and SMPs and some other revenue from privatizations under the conditions of the troika, the surplus comes to 1.5 billion euros according to a high ranking official at the Finance Ministry. Additionally the troika has asked the profits of the Bank of Greece (480 million euros) to be deducted from the primary surplus which are deferred to the 2014 budget. The same ministry official stressed that the ‘social dividend’ of 500 million euros is not in danger.

TA NEA

Hidden taxes for the insured

Pharmaceuticals: Patients pay more for generics even though the prices of the drugs have dropped precipitously

The amounts the insured pay for drugs out of their own pockets is rising even though their prices have dropped dramatically. The insured are now called on to pay a high price for their treatments even in the event that they choose generic drugs in an attempt to save money both for their pocketbooks and for their insurance contributions. Receipts obtained by Ta Nea show the distortions in contributions.

 

 

ELEFTHEROTYPIA

Thessaloniki port also to go under the hammer

After Piraeus it is now Thessaloniki’s turn. The Hellenic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) in cooperation with the Shipping Ministry has pre-approved the sale of 67% of the port of Thessaloniki, despite the protests not only of the Thessaloniki Port Authority (THPA S.A.) but also of… coalition partner PASOK, as well as other figures in the city and representatives of trade groups and professional bodies. Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris demanded works and not words, stressing that if the port is not connected with the rail network anything else will be futile.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS

Cut-price lamb only in the adverts!

Checks by the Ministry of Development have revealed the ‘con’ perpetrated by Lidl supermarkets