“We fought and stopped anyone who tried to speculate,” Development Minister Takis Theodoricakos said, speaking on ANT1, adding: “Every reasonable person hopes, hopes and expects President Trump’s announcement to echo a definitive development for the end of the war in the Middle East. We had stressed the need to avoid escalation because every war leads to loss of lives and a negative impact on the economies of all countries.”

“We are constantly monitoring the developments, we are making repeated checks to ensure that there is no illegal speculation,” the Development Minister stressed and recalled that the law on the profit cap based on the profit rate is in force until June 30, 2021. “As things stand, there is no need to extend the measure; competition and informed consumers must work,” he said.

“On the first day of the war, we checked those who attempted to raise prices before quantities at the pumps with the new prices were passed on, and we managed to keep prices at the levels they should be,” he noted.

“We are above the market and this is not just talk,” he continued, citing as examples the reductions in 700 codes in supermarkets last November, the ministry’s intervention to limit increases in insurance policies, and the attempt by insurance companies to change the way they pay compensation.

“Controls will continue, DIMEA is also conducting checks in supermarkets and we are ready for any intervention needed,” Theodorikakos said, noting that the ministry is moving to upgrade the control mechanism with the reform for the new independent authority for consumer protection and market supervision that will put an end to the fragmentation of control mechanisms based on the model of the AADE.

“The answer to the cost of living is the productive transformation of our economy, we need to keep the periphery alive, all corners of the Greek land, to strengthen the primary sector, manufacturing,” the Development Minister noted. In this context, he stated that the announcement of the three new development schemes is imminent, which will encourage young people to stay in their homeland and reduce the flow to Athens, thereby helping to alleviate rising rents. He also spoke about energy costs, noting that we are fighting a battle in the EU to boost industry, as high energy costs work against businesses. “Our goal is a more productive economy, to increase disposable income for all citizens, to make Greece more secure,” he said.

Asked about OPEKEPE, he said there should be transparency everywhere and for everyone, but it should be established exactly what has happened and who is responsible. “No one should be in a hurry to jump to conclusions; the absence of serious political positions, anomie, and poverty in ideological positions leads the opposition to heavy-handed characterizations,” he added.