The second point of Vorides’ statement was that it is “practically impossible to fully control migration flows”. While, “once the refugee status is recognized, all of them cannot stay in one place. That’s where Germany’s opposition to the Pact on Migration is, but also Hungary and the Netherlands,” he pointed out and continued:
“Our country has the most rational and effective proposal for the management of immigration policy, but, the lies are bad, and the most profitable proposal. That is why we are forming relationships within the European People’s Party today in order to be able to implement this policy in Europe as a whole – this is the battle the Prime Minister is fighting. We are upset that we do not have support from forces in our country”, he also stated and added that it is “a patriotic effort, it should have more allies at least in Greece”.
Asked if the government has opened a front with the president of “Voice of Reason”, Aphrodite Latinopoulou, the Minister of State clarified: “We do not have a front with anyone”. On the contrary, he argued, “we are faced with positions that appear as supposedly patriotic and effective, and in fact are populist.” There are, in fact, cases in which “the national interest is sacrificed”, he argued.
As he then explained, “if this policy (orbán’s type) were implemented, it would put us outside the European framework. The perceptions defended by Mr. Orbán about Hungary cost this country – because it is outside the European framework – about 650 million euros in fines a year, that is, about half of ENFIA. This scheme is not financially sustainable”.
In conclusion, “the left and the right will always be seen in the field. Mrs. Latinopoulou cannot simultaneously say that Mr. Mitsotakis is a “left-wing psycho” and at the same time accuse Greece internationally of having the strictest immigration policy of all European countries,” she observed.
On another issue, in Greek-Turkish, he first clarified that “because we are discussing, it does not mean that we have agreed”. In any case, there are “some tangible advantages to the dialogue: the fact that the largest volume of migration flows comes from the countries of North Africa, but not from Turkey, is a result of the dialogue, and that there are no violations.”
While he assured that nothing has been ceded in return, “our national position on key issues has not shifted in the slightest”. On the other hand, there is one difference we have to discuss with Turkey, he insisted.
On another topic of current affairs, that of the Prime Minister’s communication with the re-elected president of PASOK and the prospect of a meeting, M. Voridis observed first of all that “it should not be shocking news that the political leaders are meeting”. After all, the government always has the obligation to behave institutionally, he added with the simultaneous clarification, “neither do we favor anyone as our interlocutor nor do we discredit anyone. There’s just a reality.”
As he then analyzed, based on parliamentary strength, PASOK is the third political party and the intra-party process ended with the re-election of its president. On the other hand, SYRIZA is the official opposition at the moment, but “there is still a situation of transitional presidents. Because it is already in the process of electing a president and Mr. Pappas performs the duties of the president of the Parliamentary Group, and who, according to the regulations of the Parliament, is the leader of the official opposition”. However, “once the pending election is settled, the official opposition will be further legitimized”, he estimated, assuring that in the government “we do not have any preference or interference in the internal party processes of other parties”.
However, the minister also referred to the parliamentary duties of the opposition parties. In the votes, in particular, where an increased majority is required, for example in the appointment of the members of the administrations of the independent authorities “it will be seen who fulfills his constitutional obligation to find common ground”, but also “who sacrifices everything on the altar of a structural opposition, who wants to level everything.” While another example, in which an increased majority is required, is the possibility of postal voting in parliamentary elections for residents abroad, he added.
To a question about the criticism of members of the ruling party, he replied that “the support that our Parliamentary Group has given, both in this government term and in the previous one, is unprecedented.” After all, “all government initiatives have been supported 100%”. In addition, “the internal procedures are obviously the place where MPs will highlight issues”, while “it is not possible every time a MP submits a question, to say ‘you are complaining’.” It’s not possible, then, for him to sit at home.”
The interview was also occupied by the case of taxing the tip. The Secretary of State started his response from the recent court decision, which decided whether a tip is business income or salary, and how it should be taxed – and the court ruled that it is salary. Moreover, the gratuity provision has been in the Income Tax Code since 2014, the minister reminded, focusing immediately afterwards on current developments. What the government did, was from where the tip was taxable from the first euro, to set a limit of 300 euros, he said and concluded, “we are establishing a more favorable tax provision than the one that existed before”.
On the occasion, finally, of the recent presence of the two former prime ministers Mr. Karamanlis and Samaras at the ceremony of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, M. Voridis was asked about the joint presence as such and about the handshake of Antonis Samaras with the president of K.O. of SYRIZA-PS, Nikos Pappa. To both questions he gave the same, stereotypical, answer, “we do not comment on former prime ministers”.
Budget: Primary surplus of 8.7 billion euros in the 9th month
OPEKEPE: Who are paid until November 15th
Pensions: In two installments the reduction of deductions from the solidarity contribution [πίνακες]
Crete: A stepfather brutally beat a 39-year-old accused of sexually harassing his daughter in court
Earthquake in Turkey: Fear of the new strike of Enceladus – How will Greece and the Anatolian fault be affected – What Efthymis Lekkas says in Eleftherostyposgr
#Voridis #Prime #Minister #making #patriotic #effort #immigration #Summit
