G. Gerapetritis: The State has subsidized, directly and indirectly, the cost of energy with about 1.75 billion euros

“We are proceeding with prudence and consistency to overthrow pathologies of decades and to build a modern Greece”, underlines in an interview with the newspaper “Naftemporiki”, the Minister of State George Gerapetritis, while in a question about the stakes of the next election: “Let us ask the Greek people for a clear governance solution that will guarantee governability and will not stop the country’s course towards a secure and even better future.”

“Despite the adverse conditions and the great challenges, the government has not reduced the intensity of the reforms. The coming months will be really crucial for the development of the country and we intend to intensify our pace even more,” he said. “The new development law is already under discussion in Parliament with new features, such as the introduction for the first time of 13 development pillars that are the country’s priorities for the past decade. The new climate law is in public,” he said. Major reforms for the further digital transformation of the country are already underway. The reconstruction of primary health care and higher education is in the final stages of development. consequently we proceed to overthrow the pathologist decades and to build a modern Greece “.

In the context of economic issues are the discussions on the Stability Pact, an issue in which the Minister of State notes “a common mood for change”. However, he clarified, “the extent of these changes is certainly a big issue, because the new Pact should of course ensure a realistic fiscal balance, but without jeopardizing the sustainable development of European economies.”

And, opening the “papers” of the government, he notes: “Greece in the coming months will maintain a constructive attitude with targeted proposals in this direction, having won, with a credible economic policy, the trust of our European partners. The great challenges Green Growth and Digital Transition, primarily embedded in the Recovery and Sustainability Fund, and above all the need to address social inequalities that remain a major problem in European cohesion, call for a different mix of fiscal rules with innovative tools but, above all, , vision “.

On the subject of micro-economy, he recalls that “in the last five months the State has subsidized, directly and indirectly, the cost of energy with about 1.75 billion euros. Especially for January, the subsidy reaches 400 million and includes the subsidy of energy costs of businesses to reduce inflationary pressures on commodities by passing the burden on to consumers “. At the same time, he adds, “the significant tax cuts that have been in force since the beginning of the year boost the real disposable income of the citizens to deal with the accuracy, while the process for a second increase of the minimum wage has already started from May this year our most vulnerable fellow citizens to be able to respond to the new data as much as possible “.

And Gerapetritis’s response ends with the message: “We will continue to do what is possible, within the capabilities of the economy and without jeopardizing the fiscal stability that was achieved with difficulty, in order to help society in this difficult period.”

When asked about possible post-election cooperation, the Minister of State states that “in the critical historical moments we are going through, it is obvious that Greece needs a strong and effective government. Mutual and opportunistic alliances, The previous government, which relied not on positions but on contradictions, has proved this without any doubt. We will therefore ask the Greek people for a clear solution that guarantees “It will stop the country from moving towards a secure and even better future.”

On the current issue of imposing an administrative fine on our unvaccinated fellow citizens over the age of 60, he develops the government’s position, according to which, “the measure of compulsory vaccination is, according to the law, the last refuge of coercion, since all the milder means, primarily persuasion and state incentives and disincentives.The age group over 60 is composed of the most vulnerable to the virus our fellow citizens, who constitute the vast majority of those who are seriously ill, intubated or terminated. In this sense, the obligation is a completely reasonable and proportionate measure “, he concludes, recording a” significant increase “in vaccinations in the age group in question.

On the issue of the Greek-Turks, finally, “Greece is now diplomatically and operationally shielded. With the great agreements with France and the United States of America, with the cultivation of diplomatic relations with powerful players in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, with a long-term settlement. “Italy, Egypt and Albania, with reinforcement of the Armed Forces in equipment and personnel. We are building the Greece of strength and self-confidence in the face of any challenge.” He concludes by emphasizing that “we respond to hostile rhetoric with moves that further strengthen our country’s position in the international arena. With a greater weapon of commitment to international law, it goes without saying that we will defend our national interests without concessions and with determination.” .

SOURCE: AMPE