The Ministry of Development will support in every possible way the Independent Authority of the Consumer Ombudsman, in order to carry out its work in the best possible way for the benefit of all consumers.

This was noted by the Minister of Development Takis Theodoricakos, speaking at the handover ceremony at the offices of the Consumer Ombudsman. Duties of the Consumer Ombudsman were assumed by Anna Stratinaki, in place of Lefteris Zagoritis, while Vassiliki Bolou remains the Deputy Ombudsman and Ethymios Tsigas remains the Assistant Ombudsman.

The Minister thanked Mr. Zagoritis for his ten-year contribution to the institution and wished Ms. Stratinaki good luck.

As the Minister said, “The fact that the number of cases reaching the Consumer Ombudsman has increased tremendously, shows the huge needs that exist to further improve the work that is being done.

I want this to be clear. It is a commitment of the government and I personally want to do everything in our power to ensure that the Consumer Ombudsman further enhances its already positive footprint. To stand by citizens who are also consumers, to protect them against problems and threats that exist in today’s commercial transactions of all kinds.

So I expect Ms. Stratinaki, who, as you know, is the government’s choice and has gone through the entire process through the House Institutions Committee, to produce a very, very important piece of work. She has all the prerequisites and skills.”

In addition, the minister noted: “…whatever you ask us to do in terms of institutional changes and strengthening the logistical infrastructure, if the goal is to protect the consumer, will be fully accepted. The job of the government, together with the independent authorities, is to protect the consumer. We support and strengthen healthy business, but we are here to protect citizens from any negative phenomena.”

Digital upgrade

The Consumer Ombudsman stressed that “the bet” is for the citizen-consumer to know their rights and how they can activate them, and that digital upgrading should proceed so that the Ombudsman can respond faster.

The outgoing Ombudsman spoke about the important work accomplished during his ten years in office and thanked his colleagues and staff for their efforts.