Opposition slams government over latest measures
The three opposition parties that voted for the third bailout agreement in August refused to back Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Thursday’s vote on the latest prior actions demanded by Greece’s lenders and heaped criticism on the government.
“The heaviest winter is on its way, the winter of the neoliberal left,” said New Democracy leader Evangelos Meimarakis, who was especially critical of the extra taxes that formed part of the legislation voted through Parliament, including a tax on local wine.
“The government is striking a blow against Greek production,” said the conservative chief. “Not only are you failing to bring in investments but the measures you are bringing will hurt those who during the crisis years have managed to stand tall. Whose interests are you serving?”
PASOK chief Fofi Gennimata struck a similar tone, accusing the government of writing a “black page” in the country’s political history by going back on its promise to protect all homes from repossessions by banks. Gennimata said she expects people’s reactions to the government’s measures to intensify.
“Grexit is still in our backyard and the policies of this government is threatening to cause a social explosion,” said the PASOK leader.
To Potami’s president Stavros Theodorakis said the decision makers in the government should be “ashamed” for having made election pledges they could not keep.
