SYRIZA-PS attacks government over rent refund: “Another executive fiasco amid deepening housing crisis”

SYRIZA-PS: “Executive fiasco” over rent refund as citizens see €20 instead of meaningful support

SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance sharply criticized the government over the much-discussed rent refund measure, calling it a “government invention” and an “executive fiasco” that fails to address the reality of Greece’s worsening housing crisis.

In its statement, the opposition party argues that the measure —promoted by the government as a targeted response to rising rents— has triggered a wave of public frustration. According to SYRIZA-PS, many tenants discovered that the refund credited to their bank accounts was as little as €20, despite declaring significantly higher monthly rents.

The party claims that the measure not only failed to meet expectations but also contradicted assurances made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had publicly advertised the initiative as an effective solution. Instead, the responsible minister was left, as SYRIZA notes, “trying to contain the damage on television, clearly unprepared for the backlash.”

Concerns about new bureaucracy and a broader housing crisis

SYRIZA-PS further argues that citizens will now be forced into a new cycle of digital bureaucracy through the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), in order to prove they are genuinely entitled to the full refund.

The party frames the incident as part of a larger structural issue: Greece’s housing market crisis, fueled by high rents and rising living costs. They point out that rent prices have increased by nearly 9% in the past year, making the crisis too deep to be resolved by small-scale benefits —especially, as they argue, when the government struggles to distribute them correctly.

Programs like “My Home” (Spiti Mou) are also criticized for allegedly pushing prices even higher, rather than stabilizing the market.

SYRIZA-PS proposes a comprehensive housing policy

Reiterating its position, SYRIZA-PS stresses that the right to housing cannot depend on temporary allowances but requires a comprehensive, long-term framework.

The party refers to its proposals presented last June, which include:

• a Framework Law on Housing,
• protection of primary residence,
• social housing instruments,
• stronger regulation of the housing and rental market,
• and measures to counter property speculation.

According to the statement, only an integrated strategy combining these elements can effectively address Greece’s housing problems.

In a sharply critical closing remark, SYRIZA-PS states that citizens “can no longer expect anything from the Mitsotakis government — not even a correctly calculated allowance. Excellence indeed!”

Source: pagenews.gr