There will be no rises in Public Power Corp (PPC) tariffs, Environment Minister Yiannis Maniatis told Skai TV and estimated that the sale of a 30% share of the company will be to the benefit of the consumer and the liquidity of PPC.

Maniatis cited Italy as an example, as 15 years ago it privatized 30% of the public energy company and now has four times higher revenues, while it has become a major investor in Latin America. PPC, he said, can become a major “player” in the Balkans.

On the strike called by PPC employees, he said he hoped that the union movement would handle the whole issue in a responsible way.

“We have the necessary procedures in place so as to avoid a black out,” he said and underlined that the government will ensure social peace and the smooth functioning of economic activity.

“The government has all the legal tools at its disposal,” he added and noted that the government does not intent to appeal to courts so that the strike be ruled illegal, as a possible appeal falls within PPC’s jurisdiction.