Gabriel Sakellaridis calls for action on Greek housing crisis

Gabriel Sakellaridis, leader of the New Left, has called for urgent government intervention to address the housing crisis affecting Greece, particularly in major urban centers. During a visit to Patras, Sakellaridis criticized existing government programs, stating they have failed significantly.

To mitigate the crisis, Sakellaridis proposed several measures, including stricter regulations on the short-term rental market to increase long-term housing availability, the abolition of the Golden Visa program, and the implementation of rent caps based on objective property values. He also suggested a state mechanism where the government renovates properties to provide affordable housing to citizens while guaranteeing rent to owners.

Additionally, Sakellaridis addressed the rising cost of fuel, describing the current situation as ‘unthinkable’. He advocated for reducing VAT on fuel to 6%, lowering special consumption taxes to the minimum levels allowed by the EU, and imposing price caps on both gas stations and refineries to curb excessive profits.