Govt leaks emerge on pending policy vis-a-vis privatizations, foreclosures

The Greek government will reportedly unveil a plan to offer a 100-payment scheme to taxpayers owing debts to the state, part of a much-heralded pledge by the leftist SYRIZA when it was in the opposition.

Meanwhile, in terms of the on-again, off-again issue of privatizations, the same sources cited “legal margins” for improved terms from would-be investors and concession holders. One of the reforms submitted by the Greek government includes a promise not to block past or ongoing privatization tenders.

One major tender is linked with 14 regional airports around Greece, yet another eyes development of a large tract of land in southern coastal Athens where the old airport once stood, along with a handful of privatizations eyed in the mostly state-run energy sector.

On the oft-repeated pledge to exclude primary residences from foreclosures, the new numbers bantered about are a ceiling of 300,000 euros in the property’s objective value, i.e. the rate of value assigned by the state for the purpose of levying taxes. Another figure cites 500,000 euros as the ceiling for “total assets”, such as income, deposits, property etc.

Interestingly enough, the new leftist government, according to the same sources, is now also pointing to the need for eligible homeowners to pay at least a portion of the monthly mortgage – as a percentage of their monthly – to qualify and to remain in the future program.