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PM pledges benefits for pensioners, triggers speculation of snap polls

PM pledges benefits for pensioners, triggers speculation of snap polls

In a bid to ramp up the government’s social profile, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras presented a package of measures to benefit low-income pensioners late Thursday in a televised address to the nation.

He also announced the suspension of the measure to increase value-added tax on the islands of the northern Aegean which have borne the brunt of the migration crisis.

The prime minister’s address coincided with the ongoing negotiations with Greece’s international creditors – to complete the second review of the country’s third bailout – which are hanging in the balance.

The timing of his announcement of socially minded measures could spark off speculation regarding the government’s plans over the course of the next few month as Tsipras has hinted that snap polls could not be ruled out if negotiations with creditors reach an impasse. Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos dismissed the prospect of further measures in order to reach agreement with creditors over fiscal targets beyond 2018.

Tsipras said that 1.6 million pensioners receiving up to 800 euros per month will immediately receive a special supplement which will be proportional to the pension they receive.

Regarding VAT, he said the government will stick to its commitment for a uniform tax around the country, but insisted that this will not apply on the islands of the northern Aegean as long as they continue to struggle under the pressure of hosting large numbers of migrants.

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