Gov’t on economy; civil servants

The government spokesman on Thursday noted that “by meeting the goals we have set we will be able to get the country out of the crisis,” in reference to economic measures.

 

Spokesman George Petalotis also stressed that revenues falling short of estimates will be covered by the sum expected to be collected through the settlement of outstanding tax obligations, a large real estate property tax and the car circulation fees, among others.

“The prime minister and the government have stated repeatedly that we are in the middle of a very difficult situation; that the crisis is not over; the alert is still on and therefore, the steps we take and the decisions we make are cautious,” Petalotis said when called to comment on a relevant statement made by the premier earlier today.

Asked about rising spreads, he said this development is recorded when there is destabilisation in the country and when there is indication that destabilisation is possible.

Petalotis underlined that “layoffs are not in the government’s plans,” stressing that the permanent working status of civil servants is constitutionally guaranteed and the government is trying to implement reforms in the wider public sector.

When asked to comment on the fate of the public utility companies, the government spokesman stated that what goes for the public sector also goes for the wider public sector. He also underlined that the government has pledged to do everything possible to guarantee public interest, stressing that the criterion used is the protection of labour relations.

 

Asked to comment on the statement made by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras that the election results were “a slap in the face for the government”, he said the comments made by ND are tailored to serve the party and stressed that “we are very serious when assessing the first round election results.”