The need to prepare for a period of prolonged uncertainty and instability as there does not seem to be any particular optimism for the end of hostilities in Ukraine at the moment, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a dialogue with the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
“We are facing inflation rates that we have not seen in 40 years,” said Mr. Mitsotakis, adding that the effects of the war on the economic sector are already visible throughout Europe and the United States and around the world.
He estimated that the main cause of the crisis is primarily the rise in gas prices, which unfortunately entails the prices of electricity.
“Our minds at this time”, he added, “are on low-income retirees and those living on rent”. Mr. Mitsotakis assured that the government will be close to the citizens.
He named the measures against the increased prices that the government has already taken, while he also referred to the increase of the minimum wage.
The prime minister stressed that despite the opposition’s notion to “give it all now”, the government is keeping forces and reserves, as no one knows what will follow.
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The Prime Minister assured that there is no shortage in the Greek market. “Fines are already being imposed on those who see in this crisis an opportunity. These phenomena will not be tolerated”, stressed Mr. Mitsotakis.
“The companies, which have been heavily supported by the government during the pandemic, must also help, and that is why I have made it very clear that any profits from the electricity market must be returned to the people through an extraordinary tax of 90%. We expect from RAE, which is the only one that fully knows the operation of the market, its proposals and suggestions within the next month”, stressed the Prime Minister.
“Finally, let me tell you that this debate brings back to the table the need for an energy transition. The cheapest form of energy at the moment is green energy produced by the sun and the sea and we need to further accelerate the penetration of renewable energy resources on a large scale, but also on a smaller scale. Businesses will possibly be able to install solar panels to cover their own needs and this can be done with great speed, I dare say by sweeping any bureaucratic obstacles”, concluded Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
