The goals behind the new support measures, the middle class and the Mitsotakis messages in Europe

Of Dimitris Gatsiou

Through a quadruple and, at the same time, forward movement, which comes earlier than the extraordinary Summit of the “27” leaders and reflects the immediate actions to be taken in the face of the grip of the energy crisis, the Prime Minister corrects injustices of the previous the λια fan of support in the middle class and, at the same time, keeps in the front line the shielding of the most vulnerable fellow citizens.

The measures announced by Mr. Mitsotakis, through his new TV message, aim to absorb 70% to 80% of the increase in the price per kilowatt hour for households, businesses and farmers and include:

-Return to each first home owner or tenant of 60% of the additional charges incurred from December to May.

Coverage, for May and June by 50% of any increase in consumption beyond the 300 KWh subsidized to date.

-Taxation -based on the final conclusion of the Energy Regulatory Authority- of the additional conjunctural revenues of the power generation companies with a special fee of 90%.

– Disconnection, from July, of the international increases in the price of gas from the electricity bills. A double intervention in both the wholesale and retail energy market that puts an indirect ceiling on the retail market. Thus, the Adjustment Clause is suspended and the over-revenues of the energy companies are “cut with a knife”.

-Energy saving programs to become a “shield” for every citizen and every business.

The rationale behind the Prime Minister’s announcements reflects what either he or government officials have pointed out during this period of… energy clusters, due to the international unrest caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The expressed position “we support the society for as long as the crisis lasts” finds its imprint in the government interventions, which “embrace” the whole society, so that the electricity bills do not cause shock with their opening. The gaps that had been created in the middle class are being covered, there will be a stable environment of twelve months in the retail market, while the retroactive reduction of prices opens another grid of support. At the same time, one can hold two more elements from the message of the Prime Minister:

First, the clear points of Kyriakos Mitsotakis towards Europe, with the focus, obviously, on the responsibility of the “27” leaders to rise, at the end of May, to the height of the circumstances, taking decisions that will give important breath to European societies, such as committed during the pandemic crisis. “In contrast to the initiatives it has taken for the Recovery Fund, here Europe appears – at least until today – inferior to the circumstances. And, unfortunately, its solution is slow. That is why Greece continues to claim it but in the meantime it is not inactive. Because first I feel that the difficulties of our businesses and households can not wait any longer… I wish we could also get European funding to reduce the burden on the state budget.But I’ll not wait until slow-moving European ocean liner to change course “, was his characteristic disgust.

Secondly, the indirect, but clear, call to society to turn a deaf ear to the ρή Sirens of populism and hypocrisy. “I will be honest: as long as the war lasts, no national support will be able to absorb all the increases and keep energy prices where they were before the crisis. Anyone who claims they can do that is lying to you,” he said. Mitsotakis.

The looks at the 14th Congress

With the momentum given by the announcement of the new national support plan, the prime minister and the ruling party are heading today to the 14th Ordinary Congress of the New Democracy. From his podium, Mr. Mitsotakis is expected to strengthen the momentum of the “blue” social agenda, in addition to the messages for the government work of the previous three years, but also the political dilemmas, in view of the next elections, whenever they take place.

The work of the three-day “blue” conference will move, mainly, in two directions:

-On the one hand, both the Prime Minister and the government and party officials who will take the floor, will proceed to an account of the reforms and policies that have been promoted during the last years. “We will talk about the middle class. The reduction of ENFIA. The reduction of taxes and contributions. The support received by households and businesses in the pandemic and energy crises. We will develop what we have done for the workers. With the new jobs, the “Two increases in the minimum wage in 2022, the change of legislation in favor of workers. We will talk about equality policies. The reduction of unemployment. For the issues that concern the citizens and demand answers”, point out factors.

-On the other hand, during the Conference, the context of the next day will be put on the table. “Our sign will be social and progressive. And what we will emphasize is that the New Democracy is the real social and progressive party… It will not be a conference of announcements, but a political conference with a social and progressive character …”, executives note , highlighting two more elements. The first is related to the fact that 1/3 of the participants will be citizens under 35 years old. The second is the strong representation of the younger generation and women in the Political Committee.

The thematic units of the Conference will move in six axes:

-The strengthening of the international image of Greece

-Youth policies (reforms at all levels of education, labor and insurance reform for the younger generation, government housing plan for young people).

-Security for everyone.

Everyday life: State friendly to the citizens and Fair

Development.

-Environmental protection and tackling the energy crisis.

-The evolution of the New Democracy.