“Along with supporting households and businesses, there must be market stabilization, and this can only happen if the price cap is combined with a temporary reduction of the special consumption tax and VAT on fuel,” emphasized Kostas Tsoukalas, spokesperson for PASOK, speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 radio show “On Air” with journalist Niki Lyberaki.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on Mr. Androulakis’ open letter to wiretapping victims, he said that “to reach the truth, those who have been affected must assist Justice.”
Tsoukalas on government’s announced measures
Initially, regarding the measures announced by the government, he stated: “They should have been announced earlier, but there are measures that need to be implemented, yet the government doesn’t act on them simply to avoid appearing forced to follow opposition suggestions. It has a short-sighted logic regarding the special consumption tax. We say that alongside supporting households and businesses, there must be market stabilization, and this stabilization can only exist if the price cap is combined with a temporary reduction of the special consumption tax and VAT. We will present our positions in detail in the coming days.
Subsequently, when asked if they would vote for the measures the government will bring, he said: “We always support every measure that comes in the direction of protecting society, supporting it, whether short-term or long-term. We will examine them in detail when they are specified because very often this government announces them one way and specifies them another. They announce them to appear more inclusive, but when specification comes, there are always categories left out.”
On Androulakis’ open letter
Asked to comment on Mr. Androulakis’ open letter to those monitored by Predator, he mentioned: “To reach the truth, those who have been affected must assist Justice.”
On PASOK’s polling numbers
Regarding PASOK’s polling numbers, he emphasized: “We have seen much larger reversals than what we’re seeking. Measurements show that a party which for a long period has been introspective is rising by 1.5 points. Imagine if this introversion didn’t exist and if we all together focused only on supporting our positions, communicating them, fighting daily battles for the economy, society, institutions, the country’s geopolitical role through actions and interventions – we could very quickly achieve geometric growth in our percentages.”
Finally, when asked if he supports voting at the party congress for a commitment not to govern with New Democracy, he stated: “PASOK exists to be a protagonist in the political system, not a supplement, and this is given under N. Androulakis’ leadership and has been declared multiple times through our autonomous course.”
