G. Economou: From now on, the bills will come cheaper to the whole of Greek society

“From now on, the bills will come cheaper to the whole of Greek society”, stressed the government spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou, speaking on SKAI’s show, “Unmatched”.

Regarding the accusations of the opposition that the government was late in taking these measures that it announced yesterday, it stated: “We had taken measures in the previous period regarding the consumption up to 300 kWh, the most vulnerable, which had offered a very substantial support”.

He acknowledged that prices had risen sharply for middle-class, middle-class citizens. “It has not been easy to tackle this problem,” he said, noting that prudent financial management, well-thought-out and careful work and the parallel mobility we have developed in Europe have led us to be ready now to announce this plan without We are waiting for the European answer, which we will continue to seek.

“This plan drastically reduces, very substantially, the increases in electricity for the whole of Greek society, for all consumptions in various phases as announced. From now on the bills will come cheaper to the whole of Greek society. Those who have income up to “45,000 euros will see a refund in their bank accounts, that is, we are talking about a refund directly in the pockets of consumers.” He clarified that it has nothing to do with either the provider or the energy account but will be money in the beneficiary’s bank account, whether he is the owner or possibly the tenant. There will be a platform that will be extremely detailed and easy to use that will operate from the beginning of June and on this platform through the application will see in their bank account Greek citizens who have a family income up to 45,000 euros return up to 600 euros, ie 60% of increases after the discounts already given to them from December to May. He explained that we can reasonably expect that from the middle to the end of June, depending on how the statements will go, people will start to see the money back in their bank accounts.

He added that “in May and June there will be a horizontal 50% discount on the increased tariff for all consumption, business, primary and secondary households, and perhaps the most substantial intervention in energy policy in Europe is the that is, the one that will be valid from July with a horizon of up to 12 months, which with the double intervention in both wholesale and retail disconnects in essence the price of electricity from the fluctuations of natural gas. “Let’s say the adjustment clause and this will result in them paying 70% -80% cheaper, in the increases, the electricity, everyone. I repeat everyone,” he stressed.

He stressed that the government, by disconnecting the price of electricity from the price of gas for a critical period of time, is effectively inactivating the adjustment clause that, if in force, would result in high bills.

Asked what will happen to businesses, Mr. Economou replied that what will apply concerns everyone and businesses. “What people need to keep in mind is that from July onwards, 500,000 of the most vulnerable households with a social tariff will be subsidized 100% of the increases. subsidy for increases will reach from 70% to 85% in some cases, ie by neutralizing the adjustment clause we will pay 70% -80% less on the increase, in kWh, than we would have paid before. “And these very big reductions in terms of electricity consumption. And farmers, because this is also very important, will pay 80% -85% cheaper electricity than the increases.”

The government spokesman also said that “there will be corresponding subsidies for natural gas from both the State and DEPA”. He clarified that the return of money to bank accounts concerns natural persons.

What is worth highlighting as he said is that “prudent financial management, the performance of the economy in 2021 with the smallest deficit than we expected, the performance of the Greek economy that allows the ratings of international companies that we have seen recently, the pace “Development and, above all, a good reading of the international scene, enable us to make the most decisive intervention in all of Europe.”

Asked to provide answers on fuel and food price increases and any interventions there as well, he replied that we can reasonably argue that the initiatives taken will have a positive reflection in terms of part of the increases in other consumer goods, especially in business. Helping businesses pay less, that is, lowering prices, will help keep prices higher in a number of other categories.

He added that interventions are already underway for diesel and other fuels that will continue to run. The controls are intensified in the next period and what can be done more in all areas, will be done. “But I want to come back and say that this intervention in electricity prices is a comprehensive and clear answer that shapes the prospects for a clearer timeline for all of us in terms of managing financial budgets.”

He also stressed that the money found from the prudent financial management throughout the previous period, will also come from the RES account and from the special fee that will be included in any super profits determined by RAE. “The money comes from the performance of the Greek economy, which is done in a prudent way,” he stressed.

In closing, he reiterated that the elections will be held at the end of the four years and stressed “every day that passes for the government and the prime minister is a day when we exhaust every opportunity to be on the side of Greek society, next to all as is the message of our Conference which starts in a few hours “.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ