The National Economy and Finance Ministry's new tax bill passed Parliament on Wednesday by majority vote, on the strength of ruling New Democracy votes.
The bill "Measures for raising income, tax incentives for innovation and transformations of businesses, and other regulations" was voted down by all opposition parties except Spartiates, who voted "present".
National Economy and Finance Deputy Minister Christos Dimas said during debate "This bill aims at boosting citizens' income, improving their prosperity, strengthening the Greek economy before the developing climate crisis and the development of the economy through the promotion of research and innovation." He added that "the targets may be demanding and ambitious, and call for a lot of work by all of us, but they must be met so that Greece can go even higher."
With this draft law, the government of New Democracy has made a total of 72 tax and contributions cuts, Dimas said, calling on all opposition parties to stop "demonizing the increase in tax revenues," explaining that "when this increase is a result of the development of the Greek economy, results from fighting tax evasion, and is accompanied by a reduction in taxation, then it is positive and an achievement." He asserted that the "resulting surplus revenues will return to society in the form of better services in health, education, and the entirety of the social state."
Also passing in Parliament were the amendment regulating the starting price set transitionally in case of a trial cancellation; regulations for the Public Real Estate Company; the online Eurojackpot gaming process; the acquisition of shares of the DEPA Commercial SA company; and the tax exemption of gifts to the general government.
These were approved by New Democracy, and rejected by the Communist Party (KKE), Elliniki Lysi, Nea Aristera, and Spartiates. PASOK-KINAL, SYRIZA, and Niki voted "present".