«Unfortunately, the government has chosen a different path in the name of fiscal discipline. Our assessment is that the result of this choice will be disastrous, not only for small and medium-sized businesses and the real economy, but will ultimately be disastrous for the fiscal stability »and, above all, regarding the trend of Greek public debt, which is now rising at an excessively high rate, since we have already reached 200%.".
These were the points emphasized by the SYRIZA President Alexis Tsipras, speaking during a meeting with the industry representatives of the Achaea, in the hall of the Chamber of Commerce, in Patras.
As he added, «We have all experienced the crisis that the country’s excessive indebtedness led us into in all those previous years,» while also pointing out that «the critical issue for the post-pandemic era is the debt issue and the issue of non-repayable subsidy aid, so that businesses can get back on their feet.».
Referring to small and medium-sized enterprises, Alexis Tsipras said that «we must realize that not everyone shares the same view on small and medium-sized businesses» and explained: «One aspect of the weakness of government policy and government choices—in terms of curbing the recession and, consequently, market restructuring—has to do with the misjudgment and the lack of coordination and capabilities».
«But another aspect of this is an ideological stance,» said the president of SYRIZA, adding: «For years, those who argue that the Greek economy can become competitive through the decline in small and medium-sized enterprises They had a single perspective and a single direction. Now we see this perspective emerging as a natural phenomenon, as a natural disaster brought about by the pandemic. In other words, will this planned scenario—which is also foreshadowed in the Pissaridis's design, but not because of anyone's fault, rather as a natural choice, as a result of pandemic. My assessment is that it constitutes political choice »and not solely as a result of the pandemic.".
«The restructuring of the market,» he added, «with the contraction and the thousands of small and medium-sized businesses going out of business—in my view, this is a political choice.».
Elsewhere in his remarks, the president of SYRIZA referred to the support measures, saying that «so far, they have not managed to provide what is needed, namely the ability to maintain both supply and demand at an acceptable level.».
At the same time, he pointed out that «the crucial discussion that must begin regarding the future concerns the issue of the accumulation of private debt among small and medium-sized business owners, », which adds to existing debts to banks, which total more than 30 billion euros.".
«Given, then,» he continued, «the accumulation of older debts and the Greek banking system’s inability to provide meaningful support to small and medium-sized enterprises at this critical moment, and given the additional burdenduring the pandemic—which we estimate at around 8.5 billion euros in new additional debt, along with the so-called refundable advance— we realize that there is no future for small and medium-sized enterprises with this overwhelming amount of debt.».
Therefore, he pointed out, «the crucial discussion about the future concerns the write-off of part of the debt—that is, the restructuring of private debt, particularly that incurred during the pandemic.».
During his visit to Patras today, Alexis Tsipras met and spoke with Rio with business owners and workers in sectors affected by the pandemic.
As he noted, «It’s already been two months lockdown, »unfortunately, without seeing any positive results in terms of the pandemic's progression.".
He also said that «once we manage to leave the house, the crucial thing will be how we live.».
Furthermore, during his stay in Patras, Alexis Tsipras laid a red carnation at the memorial to the murdered professor, Nikos Temboneras, and then walked along the Riga Fereou pedestrian street, where he spoke with citizens.
