Main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) spokesman Panagiotis Skourletis on Tuesday accused the government of seeking to mislead the people, in statements to the radio station Real FM. Skourletis criticised both the reductions in public transport fares announced by the government as well as reports about a “return” of the 13th salary in the public sector.

“What we are seeing since yesterday, and not just with the issue of the tickets, is another attempt to deceive people…There are categories for which the cost rises through the new measures and other cases where it is lighter,” he said.

As for the ’13th salary’, he pointed out that the news report was actually about the introduction of a productivity bonus from the autumn “but for whom and under what circumstances remains unknown”.
“What does this have to do with a return of the 13th salary, no one knows. In spite of this, the news is that. For whoever believes it. It is, in other words, a systematic attempt to deceive people and manipulate public opinion,” he said.

Asked whether SYRIZA would be prepared to enter into talks with the government on the issue of Greece’s debt, should such an invitation be extended, the spokesman replied that “we must not confuse the situation, citing a supposed need for a national voice.”

“The matter of the debt has to do with specific plans,” he pointed out, which were linked to austerity and this was translated into specific policies in which some people lost and others won.

“If we want to a representation that supports the interests of the country and Greek society, this means the defeat of the policies supported by [Prime Minister Antonis Samaras],” he underlined.