Tsipras unveils €7.39 billion plan for Greece’s next decade
Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is set to present his vision for Greece's next decade in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, including €7.39 billion in social support measures for the 2027-2030 period.
The plan by the Greek Left Alliance aims to combine social justice with fiscal responsibility, with the party saying every proposed measure will have a clearly identified source of funding.
Three key priorities
The National Reconstruction Plan will be built around three priorities: producing more, distributing more fairly and living better.
The proposals focus on tackling the rising cost of living and boosting household incomes, supporting workers and small and medium-sized businesses, and rebuilding the welfare state with particular emphasis on health and education.
A fourth pillar will focus on transforming Greece's production model and promoting greater decentralization of economic activity.
Cost and funding
According to the party's economic team, the gross cost of the measures for 2027-2030 will total €7.39 billion.
Permanent new revenues are estimated at €1.92 billion, including additional revenue from dividend taxation and other sources expected to be outlined by Tsipras.
The resulting net expenditure is estimated at €5.47 billion, compared with available fiscal space of €5.60 billion.
Party officials say the plan would therefore remain within the available fiscal framework while leaving a reserve.
New national convergence fund
The plan proposes the creation of a National Convergence Fund to finance productive transformation and more balanced economic development.
The fund would replace the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which the party describes as a major missed national opportunity under the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The proposed “Patriotic Contribution” is not included in the current fiscal calculations. The party says the measure would generate additional permanent revenues.
The calculations also exclude potential resources from the proposed Convergence Fund, new European funding, the next National Strategic Reference Framework and the SAFE European defense financing program.
Focus on tax fairness
The plan calls for changes to the tax system aimed at reducing the burden on employees and self-employed professionals.
The proposed “Patriotic Contribution” would also seek to redistribute the tax burden, with the party arguing that higher contributions from those with greater capacity to pay would create additional fiscal room.
The central fiscal rule is that no permanent benefit should be introduced without a permanent source of funding and no permanent expenditure should be financed through temporary revenue.
The measures would be introduced in phases, evaluated before being expanded and reassessed annually.
Criticism of government policies
Alongside his proposals for the future, Tsipras is expected to criticize the current government over its economic and social record.
Party spokesperson Theoni Koufonikolakou has argued that the government is focused on creating political impressions while Greece continues to face pressure over purchasing power, energy poverty, housing costs, the risk of poverty and social exclusion, access to health care and real disposable income.
The Thessaloniki presentation is expected to provide the most detailed outline yet of the Greek Left Alliance's economic and social program as the party seeks to position itself as a potential governing force after 2027.
Source:efsyn.gr
