“Fuel prices are rising. The cost is passed on to production, transport, products, heating, and ultimately to every citizen’s pocket. And what is the government doing? It announces that… it will announce measures”, denounces Nikos Androulakis.
The Prime Minister foreshadows interventions, the ministers ask for patience, and citizens pay at the pump. Theater of the absurd, at a time when high prices in yet another sector of the Greek economy do not wait and households remain exposed.
And within this difficult reality, government officials, through their statements, treat the economic pressure on citizens as their personal failure.
“Don’t have 10 euros? Take the bus.”
“Can’t make it through the month? You’re a poor wretch.”
This is the arrogance of a government that has lost touch with society’s needs. The citizen who is struggling to make ends meet does not need instructions and insults. They need measures and protection.
The question is simple: why, while the Prime Minister himself warns that “it will be a difficult winter,” is the warning not accompanied by a comprehensive plan to protect households and the economy?
Why is responsibility constantly shifted to Brussels, when other member states have already made use of national tools?
In Italy, a specific support mechanism is in operation: when the increase in the international price of oil creates additional VAT revenues, these finance a temporary reduction in the excise tax.
At the same time, the Italian group Eni announced maximum diesel and gasoline prices across its network. Similar interventions were implemented in France by TotalEnergies.
At the European level, many governments used reductions in indirect taxes, targeted support, and interventions in profit margins.
And the New Democracy government? We hear that a reduction in the excise tax “is being considered.” We hear that a larger subsidy “is being considered.” We hear that intervention in profit margins “is being considered.” We hear that the refineries “will contribute.”
Citizens, however, do not fill the tank with announcements and good intentions. What is needed is a comprehensive plan to support the citizen with:
- Reduction of the excise tax on motor fuels and heating oil.
- A mechanism for returning to consumers the additional VAT revenues generated by the price increase itself, following the Italian model.
- Real and systematic checks on profit margins throughout the entire chain, from refining to the pump.
- A permanent mechanism for taxing the excess profits of oligopolies in every sector of the economy, which will be activated following a documented recommendation by the competent independent Authorities.
These measures need to be taken now. Not when the difficult winter has already reached citizens’ bills and pockets.
The Greek people, who remain in the last positions in the EU in purchasing power, do not need more announcements. They are not satisfied with the constant shifting of responsibilities to Brussels. And above all, they will not tolerate more arrogance from a government that does not heed the daily pressure of high prices.