Changes in VAT fines and parental benefits ordered by Samaras

Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou announced changes to the excessive fines for late payments of VAT or other taxes and parental benefits as ordered by PM Antonis Samaras.

Speaking at to radio station Real FM on Friday, Kedikoglou said the Greek government has initiated corrective actions and as Samaras said Thursday, "we made mistakes. When you are trying to change everything so quickly, you are bound to make some errors, but we are correcting them."

He reiterated that there are positive signs for the economy because "for the first time in three years deposits in Greece have increased and for the first time we have forecasts for a decline in unemployment according to the Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE)."

However, Kedikoglou was harsh on SYRIZA, saying that it undermines the national effort. "When they are challenging the results of the sacrifices of the Greeks, when they say that there is no primary surplus, when they say that the destruction is inevitable, when they are creating such a climate… Doesn’t this undermine the national effort to exit the crisis?"

Kedikoglou added that there is a component of economic terrorism. "When you hear the Left Platform condemn some attempts of pragmatism from other SYRIZA members, I would say that they must first solve their internal problems. They would be very welcome if at some point they would vote for a reform."