Measures worth €4.5 billion to support sectors of the economy affected by the effects of the pandemic will be implemented by the government in the second half of this year. This was stated by Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, noting that among these measures are the ’Gefyra« programme and that of covering part of the fixed costs of businesses.
Speaking on ERT1, the minister also referred to the government's initiative on supplementary pensions, which, he said, «aims at the sustainability of the insurance system».
«Right now, the current workers are paying the current pensioners with their contributions. The government comes along and proposes that one part of the pensions, the supplementary pensions, and only the new workers (from 2022) should create their own “piggy bank”. This will ensure higher pensions, as proven worldwide, for young insured persons,» said Staikouras. He added that «insurance reform with security for current pensioners is needed.».
Asked about the possibility of a fourth wave of coronavirus in the autumn and the government's financial preparedness, the minister said that «at any time we are ready for the most extreme scenario. We have strengthened the country's treasury with 41 billion euros in the two years of government.» He added that «there is fiscal flexibility and this has been extended to 2022. We will return in 2022 and 2023 to fiscal balance. The primary surplus in the following years will come from growth.».
