Main opposition PASOK-Movement for Change leader Nikos Androulakis, in a post on social media on Tuesday, stated: "Now that the banks have entered a phase of strong profitability, thanks also to 'Hercules' programmes, the time has come for a portion of these benefits for the banking system to also go to the Greek taxpayer".
Androulakis noted that the Greek state had contributed more than 38 billion euros - apart from the guarantees - for the restructuring of the banking system, while it also handed over the management of the Recovery Fund loans to the banks. "PASOK is undertaking a significant political initiative with the submission of an amendment for an extraordinary levy of 5 percent on bank profits. Profits that derive from the low deposit rates, high loan rates but also high fees and commissions for the citizens' everyday transactions," PASOK's leader said.
Additionally, Androulakis made it clear that "the extraordinary levy does not only have a revenue-raising character. It primarily arises out of our strong political will to end the oligopolistic practices that make the everyday life of the Greek people difficult. A will that the New Democracy government lacks."