ALDE Group Leader Guy Verhofstadt condemns the cost of politics in Greece, following his letter of yesterday to President Barroso in which he criticised the €29 million pre-election fund granted on Monday by the national parliament to the established Greek parties in advance of the election expected on 6 May.
"The cost of politics in Greece is a scandal. The funding of the Greek political parties is among the highest in Europe. Political parties are supposed to serve their citizens and not pump money out of them. Pasok and New Democracy are responsible for all structural problems of Greece and like leeches they have been sucking out millions of taxpayers' money".
According to a recent study*, in 2010 political parties in Greece were one of the highest funded in Europe as a proportion of tax revenue (0,14% over a total tax revenue of 45.108 million euro), nearly 6 times more than in Germany (0,02% over 553.280 million euro). The figures also show that Greek political parties receive over 9 euro per valid vote - amongst the highest in Europe for receiving State funding.
"Whereas many EU countries are currently reviewing the funding system of political parties to respond to the crisis, Greek political class are not setting a good example. In the context of the reforms Greece has to undertake to receive its second aid package, this kind of payment is a slap in the face of the Greek citizens but also of the European partners. It is not acceptable for the European tax payer to effectively pay for the 'recapitalisation' of the Greek political parties".
Next week the European Commission is due to adopt its Economic strategy on growth and jobs for Greece. In this context, Verhofstadt added: "Why should we continue with the second Greek bailout package if the two largest parties in Greece do not show any signs of changing the system ?".
*Note to editors:
Siatras, Y., "The cost of Democracy, Part 1: The Funding of the Political Parties," p.27, 2012.
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