Kastanidis’ fierce attack on Papakonstantinou

During his interview in the central newscast of Mega channel, Justice minister Haris Kastanidis attacked the current economic policy.

He said that additional taxes are unnecessary and declared himself in favor of a milder form of the mid-term program. “A policy that transfers all goods and services on to the 23% VAT level would not be able to stand”, he stressed among other things, and proposed the restructuring of the tax and contribution evasion control mechanisms.

Commenting on the rumored measures of the mid-term program, the Justice minister said that “fiscal and income policy should not lead once more to the shrinking of the incomes of the middle and lower classes”, and added – reminding the liquidity need during the initial administration period of the government – that such a thing cannot continue.

He also suggested “the discussion of a new tax policy” and without naming names, turned against Finance minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou and Commissioner Maria Damanaki, who recently spread panic in the markets: “Statements that might become crisis elements are not helpful at all”.

Finally, he promised a “very interesting discussion at the cabinet meeting” if his voice is not heard and Papakonstantinou does not include his views in the mid-term program.