The prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of a difficult winter, in an environment of unprecedented geopolitical upheavals, during his meeting with the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas at the Presidential Mansion, in the context of the regular monthly briefings, stressing that the issue of heating oil is a priority.
The prime minister placed particular emphasis on the impact of international developments on energy prices, but also on the need for the government to support households and businesses against the increased pressures of the coming period.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the issue of heating oil as the government's top priority, especially in Northern Greece, where heating needs are increased. As he mentioned, the plan provides for a double intervention, with a subsidy at the pump and a horizontal increase in the heating allowance, so that the burden on households is limited.
At the same time, the prime minister underlined that support for diesel will also continue, in the context of the measures the government is examining to address the increased energy and transport burdens.
The prime minister made special reference to the Special Consumption Tax on fuels, noting that the issue will be raised emphatically at the European Council. Kyriakos Mitsotakis made it clear that, with today's fiscal data, Greece does not have the ability to reduce the excise tax unilaterally without cutting some other expenditure.
However, as he noted, such an intervention could become feasible provided that at the European level there is an overall exemption that will allow a temporary reduction in taxation on fossil fuels. “Europe must stand by its citizens”, is the message sent by the prime minister, with energy expensiveness now high on the agenda of European governments.
“Greece is protected from pressures in the bond market”
The turmoil recorded in the international bond markets was also raised at the meeting, with the prime minister underlining that Greece is protected from bond pressures and is in a clearly better position, while it has significant safety valves.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that investors credit Greece for its fiscal discipline, pointing out that the country now borrows at a lower cost than the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, that is, from four G7 countries.
According to the prime minister, this development is an indication of the different image that has been formed for the Greek economy in the international markets. The prime minister underlined that Greece remains a safe investment destination, while the Greek economy continues to grow at a rate higher than the European average.
At the same time, the country is creating fiscal surpluses and continues the repayment of its debt, while at the same time it has the reserves to support society.
with information from ANA-MPA