Appeal for support on reforms
Despite opposition from unionists, the economy and finance minister told Sunday’s Kathimerini that he will not shy away from making structural reforms and called on his critics to back his changes. «We are trying to change everything that has kept Greece back in recent years,» said Giorgos Alogoskoufis, who has faced intense opposition recently, particularly from bank workers who oppose his proposed reforms to their pension scheme. The socialist opposition, PASOK, called for a vote of no confidence against him on Wednesday, largely based on his plans for social security reforms. However, Alogoskoufis said it was vital he received everybody’s backing. «Everyone agrees that the system needs reform,» he said. «Obviously, interventions intended to last over 10 or even 20 years call for the maximum possible political and social consensus.» Meanwhile, his ministry yesterday issued a statement denying that Alogoskoufis had instructed his aides to examine the possibility of imposing VAT on property rental. The ministry accused the opposition of spreading false rumors.
