ATHENS – There is no plan on the part of the Greek government to reduce salaries or pensions, Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos said on Monday in an interview with "Thema 104.6" radio. He even claimed that these rumours were being circulated by main opposition SYRIZA and called on the party to "mount an opposition based on truths and not lies."

"The policy of lying should have stopped after the painful experiences that Greece experienced in the past years. But they are not stopping," the minister added.

Referring to the regulations for restaurant seating, he said that it a measure was being tabled on Monday. "It aims to support jobs, because it enables restaurants to use twice as much space to put out tables and, where this is not possible, the financial committees of municipalities are have the option to reduce municipal fees by up to 50 pct," he explained.