In a Sunday (12 July 2026) interview with OREN, PASOK–Movement for Change spokesperson Costas Tsoukalas reaffirmed the party’s commitment to restoring the Social Solidarity Allowance (EKAS) for low-income pensioners struggling to make ends meet—and to reducing the solidarity levy on medium-level pensions.
Rising Cost of Living and Market Failures
Tsoukalas highlighted Greece’s deteriorating purchasing power, noting that the country ranks last in Europe on this indicator. He criticized the government’s recently announced ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ with refineries to cap fuel prices, pointing out a stark contrast with Italy: while wholesale fuel prices fell by five cents there, they rose by 20 cents in Greece—a discrepancy he said the government cannot credibly explain. ‘When the government speaks of “gentlemen’s agreements” between itself and refineries, since when do refinery prices result from such deals? This shows the market is not functioning properly,’ he remarked.
Clarifying the Cost of the 13th Pension
On the issue of the 13th pension payment, Tsoukalas clarified that its net fiscal cost stands at €1.68 billion—not the higher gross figure cited by the government, which includes taxes and contributions that flow back into public funds. ‘These are the alchemies of New Democracy,’ he said, adding that the party had abolished a smaller version of this benefit back in 2019. ‘New Democracy has other priorities: direct awarding of contracts, consultancy-driven governance, corruption, and handouts to the powerful.’
Implementation Timeline and Fiscal Responsibility
Tsoukalas outlined PASOK’s proposed implementation plan: half of the 13th pension—costing €840 million—would be introduced gradually. Since the government has already announced a €300 bonus for pensioners, PASOK’s net additional cost in the first year would be €420 million. He accused Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of concealing this overlap during his parliamentary speech—and of ignoring PASOK MP Nikos Androulakis, who clearly referred to a two-installment payout.
The spokesperson also questioned the government’s habit of announcing measures without proper cost assessment. Referencing Education Minister Niki Kerameos’s recent proposal on widow’s pensions—a reform PASOK had long advocated—he noted she provided no cost estimate. ‘She doesn’t know the cost—nor did Mitsotakis when he scrapped the Katrougalos Law in 2019. The government announces, but refuses to cost its policies—while attacking those who do. They’re professionals in propaganda,’ Tsoukalas added, responding to Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theocharis’s claim that he was unaware of the cost because he hadn’t been present in parliament on the day of the announcement.
A Lifeline for Low-Income Pensioners
‘Can a pensioner live on €400? No, they cannot,’ Tsoukalas stressed. ‘That’s why we recommit to restoring EKAS—raising it from €50–€150 to €380 for 380,000 low-income pensioners.’