“Cut whatever you can” before the Troika cuts it all

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras invited all the ministers to come up with "pragmatic proposals", adding that whatever is not be agreed upon will be cut by himself and the political leaders, in light of the consultations with the Troika, who return next Monday.

A government person said that "a minister cannot propose cuts of 100 million euros while he knows he can cut 2 or 3 billion." Another said that the ministry of Labour will be the "weightlifter in the national effort," adding that everything will be done fairly.

The same sources reported that "the government is proceeding on the basis of the memorandum and the KEPE study on the costs that can be cut without jeopardizing public safety. It is a team game and we must all help. We have an obligation to present a comprehensive proposal with numbers when the Troika comes back."

In the wake of the information about imposing a cap on high pensions, Finance ministry officials said that all proposals "are on the table." As concerns the special payrolls, the government "has already sent its proposals for the equivalent ones, as well as for the issue of income tax installments."

Especially as for the installments and how to pay the special real estate fee calculated by the PPC, announcements are expected on Wednesday after the meeting of political leaders for the new midterm measures for 2013-2015.