Press Review July 15: Aside from water companies, full speed ahead for privatisations

The troika demands privatisations be accelerated; SYRIZA seeks to form alliances opposing coastal and forestry bills; Chinese President Xi Jinping meets visits Rhodes; a primary surplus of 712 million euros is posted for the first half of the year; and Greek taxpayers owe €3.5 billion in additional taxes following passage of tax return deadline. Image: one of the properties for sale by the HRADF in Halkidiki.

The Press Project
15 Ιουλίου 2014 | 11:30:29

	EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON A sell-off of all state run enterprises and properties “Sell everything off because we are sinking” The economic recovery that the government sees does not seem to be apparent to the troika. Small tax breaks which the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras had promised for 2015 are attached to the condition that privatizations are accelerated for all state run enterprises aside from EYATH and EYDAP [the water companies for Thessaloniki and Athens respectively]. Property, estates, beaches and forests will all go under the hammer. Both sides declare themselves optimistic that ‘the negotiations are going well and the final evaluation in the autumn will be positive.’
	ELEFTHEROTYPIA New SYRIZA alliances over forests and coastal bill Following the ‘small PPC’ SYRIZA is broadening its political and social alliances to formulate anti-governmental fronts, this time over the draft legislation which is coming regarding the coasts, forests and demands of the lenders.
	KATHIMERINI Greece and China A deep symbolism as a confirmation of the establishment of a strategic partnership between Greece and China underpinned the visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to Rhodes where he was received by the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras who indeed gave him a tour of the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights.
	NAFTEMPORIKI Primary surplus of 712 million euros The satisfaction of the political leadership of the Finance Ministry which derives from the positive course of the state budget creates, according to the Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, “the necessary base for reductions in social security contributions and the gradual reduction of tax burdens on businesses and households.” According to the data, in the first half of the year a primary surplus was posted of 712 million euros.
	IMERISIA Taxes of €3.5 billion after filing of tax returns 4 in 10 taxpayers are called to pay additional tax There are additional burdens for self-employed and small and medium business owners. Assumed income from assets and rents ‘burns’ many. It is a matter of days before the measure for property tax reform is submitted to parliament. The property tax is to be paid in 6 installments.