Cabinet reshuffle – Why the financial staff remained intact

The foundations of the Ministry of Finance were not shaken by this reshuffle with the Prime Minister giving a vote of confidence to the leadership of the Ministry of Finance. The information that the Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras and the Deputy Minister of Finance Theodoros Skylakakis were not refuted and are officially included in the “immovables”.

On the other hand, the scenarios that wanted another structure to be given to the ministry were not confirmed, with the strengthening or creation of a separate portfolio that focuses on the two-year marathon of implementation of the Recovery Fund, projects and investments, reforms, etc.

And this move has an explanation:

First of all, one of the main reasons why there were no significant changes on Nikis Street is the recognition by the Prime Minister of the positive sign of the financial staff. Both in relation to the positive evaluation of the post-memorandum supervision by the Institutions, and in the course of the management of the pandemic and the organization of market and economic support.

According to government sources, there is no reason to change the main body and they explain that “there is no reason to make changes for the sake of change”. It also does not cause discontinuities in key areas of government work related to development, infrastructure and resource absorption. “It shows the government’s commitment and support for major reforms concerning the future of the new generation in education, employment and the insurance of young people,” the same sources explained.

Given that the effectiveness of the recovery plan, the magnitude of the easing of wages and the stimulation of work are at stake in the next elections, the “PM’s office” – “financial staff” team can not change, especially at this time in view of the Thessaloniki International Fair. The plan based on which the government will move by 2023 is already being prepared, while in a few days the next evaluation by the Institutions will begin, where the public, fiscal space for the next day will be shown.

The meetings have caught fire and if there is financial space, the package is considering, among other things, reliefs in taxes and contributions, reduction of property tax ENFIA 8% and an increase in the number of installments for repayment in addition to ENFIA and income tax. , a measure that is likely to be implemented from the tax returns of 2022. He emphasizes the way to use the liquidity of 77 billion euros from the Recovery Fund and the new NSRF, the actions included in the climate plan, energy savings and environment. This portfolio has also been served and will continue to be run by Deputy Minister Th. Skylakakis.