The new PM of Greece has decided to put a halt to the unjustified expenses of his ministers and deputy ministers amidst the ongoing recession plaguing the country for the fifth year in a row.
From now on, both ministers and deputy ministers must first inform the Secretary of the Cabinet, Takis Baltakos, and take the necessary permission from the PM before traveling outside the city of Athens, either abroad or within Greece.
According to a Proto Thema report, associates of Samaras noted that the PM truly means that all MPs will have to work 7 days a week and be available 24 hours a day. Samaras reportedly wishes with this decision to distinguish between the legislative and executive powers and underline the incompatibility between MPs and Ministers. Should this decision be enforced, then the Greek MPs will have difficulties in frequently visiting their home towns and maintaining their local supporters.
Moreover, private jets and VIP flights belong to the past. All Ministers scheduled to escort the President of the Hellenic Republic in Brussels on June 28-29 for the European Council summit will fly on economy class seats. This decision was determined necessary by the Presidency of the country in order to cut on its expenses and symbolically show appropriate behavior amidst the crisis. Both Karolos Papoulias and the members of the Greek delegation will fly to Brussels on an Aegean Airlines flight.
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