Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-02

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK unveils financing for policy platform

[01] PASOK unveils financing for policy platform

Among others, PASOK said extra spending will be funded along five axes, namely, an increase in government revenues, continued growth, more effective curbs on tax evasion and more effective taxes on wealth - i.e. large real estate holdings, off-shore companies, dividends paid out to major shareholders, short-term stock market transactions etc. - reducing waste in Greeceās capacious public sector and a "peace dividend" from rationalising defence spending.

Additionally, the main opposition party said the additional spending will be funnelled into four general "pylons", including education, human resources and research; health; the social state, and, public investments.

In terms of the first, PASOK promises to increase public spending for education to the tune of 5 percent of GDP by 2011.

As far as health is concerned, the target is 3.7 percent of GDP by 2011.

The most notable proposal for social spending is a 550-euro pension for any unmarried and uninsured citizen; 950 euros for an uninsured couple. Every couple will also receive, assuming economic status warrants, 2,000 euros for each child.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article