Responsibility of the Commission, as a member of the troika, with respect to the implementation of the cruel financial adjustment programme agreed under the Memorandum, which impoverishes Greek citizens in Heraklion
| 13 April 2015 |
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| Question for written answer to the Commission Rule 130 Notis Marias (ECR) |
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The cruel financial adjustment programme imposed on Greece by the troika under the Memorandum resulted, among others, in our country’s humanitarian crisis and contributed to the impoverishment of Greek citizens in Heraklion, Crete.
According to a conference organised by the Chamber of Heraklion on fighting poverty and social inequality in the Municipality of Heraklion, 4 500 families and 10 000 individuals live on the poverty line in the Municipality of Heraklion alone, while in Crete these numbers are estimated at 7 500 and 16 000 respectively. During the conference, the absence of a national strategy, as well as the terrifying lack of resources to deal with the problem, were demonstrated.
In view of the above, will the Commission — as a member of the troika — say:
| 1. | Does it insist that this destructive and cruel financial adjustment programme — which was imposed on Greece and resulted in the impoverishment of Greek citizens in Heraklion, as well as throughout the country — be continued? |
| 2. | What measures does it intend to take, in cooperation with Greek authorities, to fight poverty and social exclusion in Heraklion, and in Crete as a whole? |
Source: European Parliament
| Answer given by Mr Moscovici on behalf of the Commission | |
| 1. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-005019/2015(1).
2. Improving social safety nets and enhancing social protection are clear policy priorities within the Stability Support Programme for Greece. In this framework, the Greek authorities launched a pilot means-tested income support programme (guaranteed minimum income) in autumn 2014 and they committed to a phased-in national roll-out in the course of 2015. The Commission would also refer the Honourable Member to its European Economy Occasional Paper 192, April 2014 (page 51). The Commission is providing financial support through the European Structural and Investment Funds, notably the European Social Fund (ESF). The amount allocated to Crete from the ESF for the period 2014-2020 amounts to EUR 58 257 622(2), and will focus mainly on actions promoting social inclusion, combatting poverty and any discrimination. Additionally, the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived that provides food and basic material assistance to the most deprived will be providing aid to Greece worth EUR 280 972 531 million for the period 2014-2020. |
Source: European Parliament
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