The crucial meeting of the political leaders convened by President Anastasiadis against the background of the state budget was completed, in the presence of the Speaker of Parliament Adamos Adamos, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Labor Zeta Aimilianidou.
During the meeting, the Minister of Finance, Konstantinos Petridis, presented to the political leaders the changes that took place in the state budget, based on the consultations that took place throughout the previous period with the parties that intend to vote if their proposals are included.
In his statements, the Deputy Government Spokesman Panagiotis Sentonas stated that the President of the Republic informed the leaders of the parties about the inclusion in the budget of proposals of the political forces. These proposals were submitted in the context of the dialogue between the President of the Republic and the Ministers of the Government with the parties, in order to reach the widest possible consensus and to make it possible for the Parliament to approve the budget as soon as possible.
Both the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Security informed the political leaders at length about the individual amendments to the budget, which were made on the basis of the suggestions submitted and the previous dialogue.
The whole discussion took place in a creative atmosphere, without of course ignoring the different approaches that were expressed.
The President of the Republic informed the political leaders that the budget will be submitted for approval at today's meeting of the Council of Ministers. At the suggestion of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and with the unanimity of all political forces, the debate on the budget will take place at a meeting of the House that will be held on January 18.
Moderately optimistic that in the coming days the state budget for 2021 will be voted, said the President of DISY Averof Neophytou, after the meeting of political leaders at the Presidential Palace, under the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis.
“I express my restrained optimism that in the coming days the budget will be voted so that we can in a practical and effective way stand by the groups of citizens, small and medium enterprises and society as a whole,” said Mr. Neophytou.
He also said that “in the unprecedented health and economic conditions experienced by the place and the citizens, the adoption of the budget is beyond necessary” and it is not only, as he said, “in order for the state to function, to have the health system, to have payments of pensions and social benefits “.
“We need the budget for the further support of the employees, for the support of the small and medium enterprises”, concluded the President of DISY.
For his part, the president of DIKO, Nikolas Papadopoulos, noted that despite the fact that the government refused to consult with his party during the previous dialogue, DIKO will consider the changes, when the budget is officially submitted to Parliament. .
He also noted that in any case, in the measures to support the economy, the rent subsidy should be included and those who are affected should be supported. He pointed out that the installment suspension program should be extended and the state guarantee plan should be reinstated.
Nikolas Papadopoulos, noted once again that the position of DIKO is that in order to vote for the state budget, the naturalization files should be handed over to the Auditor General , in order to conduct his own research.
