In an article published by Agora newspaper, Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras vowed significant tax cuts if his party wins Greece’s general elections to be held on January 25.
More specifically, Mr. Samaras noted that the New Democracy plan includes tax cuts for individuals, businesses and property owners. With regard to ENFIA property tax that has cost New Democracy many of its voters according to polls, the Prime Minister said that it will be reduced by 7% in 2015, while in the next two years (2016-2017) the rate will be further reduced so as to generate revenue less than 1% of GDP, against today’s 1.43%.
Starting with the budget that will be voted in 2015, the tax on corporate profits will be gradually reduced to 25% from 15% and the maximum rate on personal income tax will fall to 33%.
Moreover, presumptions on maintenance costs and acquisition of assets will be abolished and the highest VAT rates will be reduced.
In addition, the Prime Minister told Nea newspaper that he is strongly against the possibility of a European conference on the debt, as he believes that it would complicate things for Greece.
With regard to the possibility of cooperation between New Democracy and another Greek party, Mr. Samaras noted that he is open to the prospect of cooperation only with pro-European political forces.
Reiterating his party’s position that the memorandum era is close to its end, Mr. Samaras said that the presence of the troika of country’s lenders in Greece will be far more discreet than it was in the past.
Finally, the ND leader underlined that SYRIZA’s plans for the overtaxation of the non-poor households will lead to the extinction of the middle class in Greece.