The Hellenic Left Coalition will send former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's economic program to the Fiscal Council following government claims that it lacks funding.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis questioned the financing of the opposition's proposals on Thursday, estimating the annual cost of the package at 13 billion euros. He asked how the party would cover the remaining 12.5 billion euros, noting that the proposed patriotic contribution generates only 145 million euros.
Responding shortly after, the Hellenic Left Coalition, known as ELAS, announced it will submit the full document to the Hellenic Fiscal Council for an independent evaluation of its financial costings.
Opposition Response and Fiscal Review
ELAS stated that Marinakis and officials at the Prime Minister's office at Megaro Maximou began spreading propaganda about uncosted measures on Wednesday afternoon before Tsipras even took the podium.
The party accused the government of resorting to financial alchemy that would make first-year economics students laugh uncontrollably, adding that when reality does not suit the administration, the government ignores reality.
ELAS explained that because citizens are not required to possess specialized knowledge in economics, submitting the proposal to the independent fiscal body will resolve the dispute permanently.
The opposition party added that if the council accepts the evaluation request, it hopes Marinakis will not disappear from public debate, remarking that officials would miss him.
Meanwhile, government sources maintained that Tsipras presented one set of claims during his speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair while writing different terms in his official program, alleging an inherent tendency to deceive voters. Marinakis characterized the announcements as political deception.
Debate Over Patriotic Tax Proposals
The proposed patriotic contribution has generated intense debate across the political spectrum, sparking arguments over private safe deposit boxes and personal assets.
Politician Vassia Anastasiou reported that her grandmother called her asking if Tsipras would confiscate her bracelets.
Replying to Anastasiou, ELAS official Siakantaris remarked sarcastically that Communist Party leader Koutsoumbas would soon arrive to seize citizens' homes.
Addressing concerns over private assets, a deputy spokesperson for Tsipras clarified that government bonds are distinct from personal brooches and jewelry following statements by party figure Pappas regarding bank deposit boxes.
Internal friction also emerged within the opposition, as Pavlos Polakis criticized the economic team, questioning what kind of policy package could be designed by Liakos, Chouliarakis, and Koutentakis, whom he referred to as the banking left.
Economic Estimates and Government Measures
Further scrutiny focused on statements by ELAS finance sector head Nyfoudis. In one public appearance, Nyfoudis claimed to have discovered in a global database that the top 1 percent of wealthy Greeks holds 200 billion euros in assets.
In a separate broadcast, Nyfoudis mistakenly divided rather than multiplied when calculating the total expense of a relief measure intended for university students.
On the government side, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is preparing an economic support package ahead of upcoming elections, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Mitsotakis is set to announce surprise support initiatives for farmers and families with three children during the Thessaloniki International Fair before attending scheduled political dinners over the weekend.
Economy and Finance Minister Hatzidakis stated that upcoming measures will focus on reducing child-rearing costs and assisting young couples in securing their first home.
State Minister Skertsos added that the National Housing Strategy is currently being deployed with funding exceeding 6.5 billion euros.
Following his appearances in Thessaloniki, Mitsotakis will travel to Cairo on Tuesday for an official bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Evangelos Tournas will not attend the Thessaloniki fair, remaining in Athens to oversee emergency responses due to high wildfire risks.
Textbook Disputes and Political Events
Government spokesman Marinakis also addressed controversy surrounding new primary school textbooks for second and sixth grade students that depict families with same-sex parents, stating that a father is a father and a mother is a mother.
Elsewhere in domestic politics, PASOK celebrated the anniversary of its September 3 founding in Heraklion, hosting events featuring traditional lyre music, folk dancing, drone displays, and a performance of the anthem Kalimera Ilie.
Right-wing politician Afroditi Latinopoulou launched a public attack on rival politician Kyriakos Velopoulos, calling him a quack seller of herbal salves, and claimed that uncontrolled migration has transformed parts of the country into Islamabad.
In Fourna, a local schoolteacher dismissed public reports describing severe rat infestations in the home of a large family as ridiculous.
Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigations
Authorities in Mandra responded to a violent incident when an armed man stormed the local police station. Witnesses reported that the suspect approached an officer with a knife while shouting for the officer to shoot him, prompting police to fire at his chest.
In Marathon, police arrested the daughter and grandson of a 90-year-old woman after her body was discovered wrapped in plastic sheeting inside a residential basement.
In judicial news, the mother of Evi Gatidou passed away, decades after her daughter was killed in 1997 by 104 knife wounds in a murder case that remains unsolved.
Media reports also highlighted the history of former police chief Nikon Arkoudeas, reviewing his career contrasts and his status as a recurring subject of anarchist slogans.
In Igoumenitsa, police reviewed video footage showing a 29-year-old man accelerating his car along a public road while his 24-year-old female partner clung to the vehicle's bonnet.
Historical commentary also revisited the era of Athenian teddy boys, examining mid-century public shaming practices involving yogurt and the eventual repeal of Law 4000.
International Developments and Cultural News
International reporting noted that the British Museum has agreed to lend disputed Parthenon Marbles to institutions in Germany.
At the United Nations, delegates received a proposal to revise standard global map projections, arguing that the Mercator system severely underrepresents the geographical area of Africa.
Meteorological reports outlined ten key questions regarding El Nino, analyzing how the climate phenomenon could influence winter weather patterns in Greece.
At the Venice Film Festival, event security personnel removed actress Nina Dobrev from the red carpet while she was posing for photographers.
In Turkey, public outrage followed the release of a video showing a CHP party vice president physically assaulting his female partner as she shouted for him to leave her alone.
In corporate developments, German automaker Volkswagen faces a severe financial crisis driven by falling demand in China, putting an estimated 100,000 jobs at risk.
In the Netherlands, Queen Maxima operated a tractor and assisted workers during a harvest of cannabis plants.
Emergency crews in Ano Peraia, near Thessaloniki, deployed three firefighting aircraft to contain a brush fire after authorities issued a 112 emergency alert instructing residents to remain ready.
In Naxos, organizer details emerged for Nurturing Mechanisms, a contemporary art exhibition staged within an olive grove in Kalambonas.
Former reality show participant Floros filed a 100 million dollar lawsuit against producer Acun following a leg amputation sustained after competing on Survivor.
Telecom operator OTE announced the rebranding of COSMOTE TELEKOM to Telekom, marking a major brand update for consumer services.
Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos reassured residents in Kypseli that recent structural damage presents no safety risk, confirming that complete repairs will be conducted without cost to property owners.
Scientific studies published details on how heavy reliance on ChatGPT alters human memory retention, critical thinking, and social behavior.
An international report revealed that one in five children across 21 nations has experienced sexual exploitation or abuse through social media platforms.
Health officials dispatched Mobile Health Units to the fish market in Nea Michaniona to conduct preventive medical screenings for local fishermen.
Medical literature highlighted atrial fibrillation as a silent heart arrhythmia that can develop without noticeable symptoms.
