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Beyond your position that Greece should be gradually released from its obligations under the Memorandum of financial aid, what are the proposals of the Democratic Left for economic growth?

First, the law, which has repealed the minimum wage and with it, has led to unprecedented low levels of the other wages in the private sector, has to be eradicated. We should revise the rules established recently in the labour market and make a full turn from the policy pursued so far, as it is decreasing  the wage levels in Greece to those in Bulgaria (I do not mean to insult you) without the same trend of decreasing prices. A country like Greece, where prices have reached monstrously high levels, cannot afford to further reduce pensions and salaries. Greece’ gross domestic product is based mainly on consumption, as you know. Now, people have no money, consumer habits have changed, turnover has decreased, recession is a downward spiral, shops and companies are failing, people are losing their jobs and things are getting worse. Therefore, the first task of the new government must be the restoration of minimum wages that were cut after the introduction of the Memorandum of financial assistance.

This is the social policy the Democratic Left would pursue if it took part in the next government. What is your programme for stimulating the productive forces in the country and for restoring the economic growth?

We insist on accelerating the procedures for the use of funds from the national framework for strategic development. They can help Greek enterprises to stabilize and develop. Unfortunately, the programme will end next year, and the funds used are less than 40%. You see how important it is to find a way to use these funds soon. Therefore, on the first day of taking up office, the new government must create all prerequisites for the easier use of the highest possible amount of European Union funds in order to complete advanced projects and to allow Greek enterprises to take a breath.

What are the views of the Democratic Left concerning the financial sector management? Should there be public participation in the management of banks or do you think that the support to financial institutions should not give the state a voting right in bank management?

There is the issue of bank recapitalization. It is necessary in order for the banks to obtain the capital that will feed them at favourable terms and offer it to the small business at lower interest rates. This will enable these companies to repay old debts at high interest rates and invest in development and expansion of jobs.

The most important thing is to understand how banks are taking their role in the economy. Over the past decade, banks have harvested huge profits. Bankers should recognize and assume their responsibilities in the economic life of Greece. The recapitalization of banks included in the PSI process allows the state to intervene and direct the banks to provide greater support to the real economy.

Unemployment is one of the most serious consequences of the long recession in Greece. What measures should be immediately taken to minimize this problem?

Unemployment is one of the nightmarish problems that has intensified after the start of the crisis. Official figures show that unemployment has reached 21% -22%. A large majority of people have been excluded from the labour market for years and one out of every two young people under the age of 30 is unemployed too. Therefore, if we do not restart the local economy, we will not be able to fight unemployment. We offer to first introduce measures that will encourage companies to hire young people. Lower social security and health insurance or tax incentives should be offered to anyone who hires young people, unemployed people in preretirement age or the long-term unemployed.

You are a candidate deputy in the second constituency of Piraeus. Do you think that cabotage for cruise ships should be cancelled in Greece?

Taboos in Greece should fall. Shipping is directly related to tourism and trade and we cannot afford to keep outdated beliefs and habits. Shipping is crucial for our country and we must remove all barriers hampering its development so that it can bring new flows of currency into the country.
 
Unemployment in the ranks of Greek sailors was zero, nonexistent in recent years. Protectionism, which would protect the employment rights of shipping workers, was not really protecting them all these years. There was not only lack of unemployment in the sector, but companies sought and noted the lack of certain categories of professionals. Transport fleet crews are different from those for tourist cruises. You understand how strange it is that we have some of the most beautiful sea coasts and islands in the world which are of interest to so many cruise companies, and so far, we have been unable to properly utilize them.