The main opposition PASOK–Movement for Change harshly criticised New Democracy’s six-year rule over the high cost of living and social inequalities during the second of four press conferences it is holding until Friday.
As PASOK’s spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas said, the aim of the press conference is "to highlight how the Mitsotakis’ government has acted as a catalyst for widening social inequalities over the past six years." He argued that this "was not accidental, nor a mistake, nor due to external factors, but rather a conscious political choice by the government".
Specifically, he said these were "deliberate choices". They included "serving the cartels" and "exploiting inflation and high prices to boost tax revenues and skyrocket the profits of large business units." He also referred to "the decision that led to the huge increase in the price of electricity" and "the undermining of collective bargaining and collective agreements".
Another choice, Tsoukalas said, was "the abolition of the protection of primary residences established by PASOK in 2010." Combined with the inability to control private debt, this is now "leading to a violent redistribution of real estate." Finally, he pointed to "the devaluation of the National Health System" and "the understaffing of structures, which is leading to current shortages and a huge increase in private health spending."
He commented that health, employment, social security, energy costs, and private debt may seem like different areas, "but they are linked to the daily lives of citizens, and here the government has failed miserably." Tsoukalas also announced that PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), will present a plan for a new, strong welfare state, focusing on radical changes and positive reforms that will benefit the social majority.