G. Economou: The government is monitoring the phenomenon of price increases very closely

“Price increases and accuracy are a social problem, I would say now,” government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said in a televised interview with ANT1. He clarified that this is a global phenomenon that has no roots here but that is nevertheless “a real problem that makes it very difficult for many of our fellow citizens in their daily lives.”

Mr. Oikonomou stressed that there are two main points: “firstly, to be honest, to tell the truth without embellishing, tragicizing and annihilating, and secondly, as a responsible government, not to be limited to findings. The government must act , its policy must produce results that support the world trying to mitigate the effects of accuracy and on the other hand to ensure a balanced and safe course for the country in an international environment that not only from economic parameters but also from other “As you can see it is strange, it is unstable, it is difficult. We have to watch it vigilantly and with a plan.”

He went on to say that the citizen wants a government that is by his side not only in difficult times but also to constantly create conditions of prosperity and prosperity for all, much more in difficult times.

He reiterated with a review of the measures taken by the government from September until today that it has allocated more than 1.8 billion euros to support consumers from energy price increases. He also said that there is no country in Europe that has allocated such amounts.

He explained that in all the bills the citizens see the percentage reduction of the percentage that would correspond to the increase, now very clearly. It does not nullify the increases but these increases would have been much larger if these measures had not been taken.

He also said that for our fellow citizens who are more financially weak, there is a difference, because first there is the social tariff where the discount is even higher and second because in the previous period there were very specific and targeted financial aid and with the doubling of the allowance solidarity and with the money given to specific categories.

He also pointed out that one should see the whole picture and that the government from the beginning of its term with its policy strengthens the income, removes burdens, creates the conditions for all citizens to have increased income and more money available. With a policy that creates jobs because that is the greatest measure of the success of an economic policy.

Answering a question about the Excise Tax on fuel, he said that it is reasonable for people to look for ways to reduce the price of fuel. However, the equation is difficult because the EFC is an important part of the budget revenue. If this part is missing, you have to find it somewhere to replace it, because the money we get from basic revenue pillars is exactly the money that the welfare state supports. He also added that this is a tax that will come to subsidize an imported product and we also know that everything that leaves the tax in the country is difficult to return and it is difficult for society to accept it later.

Asked why nothing comparable to Emanuel Macron’s intervention in France to reduce electricity bills could be done, the government spokesman said that when one wants to make comparisons one must take into account of the different data.

“Mr Macron’s intervention in France concerns the intervention of his country’s nuclear energy utilization. Our country does not have nuclear energy but does not even have the mix of renewable energy sources that would allow it to be more flexible. “Now this strategy is being formed with PPC, with the investments, with the moves that have been made so that in the future we will be completely safer in these extreme price fluctuations”, he underlined.

“There is no country with the size and potential of our country in proportion, which has allocated what we have allocated not to zero – in no case – but to mitigate as much as possible the impact of energy accuracy on electricity bills. energy and gas “, said Mr. Oikonomou.

Asked what the government will do by May, when we will have the second increase in the minimum wage – which Mr Economou said would be generous – he said: “The government will continue its policy of supporting everything. In the field of energy, it will consider and weigh, depending on the data and the possibilities, additional policies of targeted targeted support to those categories that are most under pressure. In terms of energy, we are going to increase the minimum wage, we have the additional reduction of ENFIA which will also boost the income of the citizens and here we are to see within the possibilities that we have targeted interventions for those people who make it more difficult whether it concerns specific occupational categories or specific incomes “.