Within the next few days, the Ministry of Finance will submit a supplementary budget of approximately 600 million euros, due to the huge cost to the economy from the bad weather “Daniel”. As the minister said in an interview yesterday, Kostis Hatzidakisof the total amount 450 million euros will be used for state aid and 150 million euros for covering farmers.

He added that projections are already being made based on “Jan” for the amount of damages, but the first official estimate will be in the draft of the new budget in early October.

Asked about the Prime Minister’s announcements at TIF, the minister said that aid will be provided for personal difference to pensioners (December or January), as well as the increase in the social solidarity allowance, which are government commitments.

On the contrary, he stated that believes there will be no expansion of the shopping card (market pass), due to cost from “Daniel”.

Mr. Hatzidakis pointed out that the target for a primary surplus of 0.7% of GDP is non-negotiable and that it would be a mistake to ask the Commission to relax the fiscal policy, because it would send the message that Greece will begin to slide back into crisis.

For heating benefitMr. Hatzidakis said that what was done last year will be followed again this year, with the subsidy at the pump.

Regarding the phenomena of profiteering, especially after the disasters in the Thessalian plain, he declared that “there will be no mercy with profiteering”.