SYRIZA for natural gas cap: Long delayed decision – Weak measures

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“One would expect that the European Union would be able to take other more reformist decisions at the same time, which would limit energy prices and the excess profits of a few companies,” SYRIZA executives said in their joint statement.

Criticism of the agreement reached by the energy ministers of the EU member states are held by SYRIZA. With a joint statement by the head of the Environment and Energy department, Sokratis Famellou, and the deputy head of the Environment and Energy department, Peti Perkas, they describe the measures as “weak” and “with a long delay.

In more detail, the joint statement:

Today’s agreement in the Council of Ministers of Energy on the ceiling on the price of natural gas is certainly not a cause for celebration, since it is received with a delay of at least six (6) months. The only thing that is certain is that today’s decision of the Council is not sufficient as a solution to the problem of this winter, while it remains to be proven whether it will ever be implemented in practice, as well as its effects and effectiveness.

After a year of energy crisis at the European level, with prices in all European countries galloping and accuracy testing all citizens and businesses, with serious deficits in the control and regulation of the markets, one would expect that the Eur. Union would be able to take other more reformist decisions at the same time, which would limit energy prices and the super profits of a few companies. What we see unfortunately is that Europe is still moving at a very slow pace in the face of a crisis that seems likely to continue for some time to come, as well as serious malfunctions of the energy market that does not work to the benefit of consumers.

As SYRIZA-PS, we insist on the position that any limitation, whether in electricity prices or natural gas prices, must be accompanied by strong public control in the market so that excess profits are not generated at the expense of citizens. Retrospective recovery and return of excess profits after months, when they have reduced the purchasing power and quality of life of citizens and professionals are at risk of being locked out, as is happening today in our country, is an admission of failure and weakness. Europe must move quickly to decouple electricity prices from natural gas, in order to protect society and the economy from further turbulence in natural gas markets, but also for a real solidarity mechanism between countries, to equally protect weaker economies but also our most vulnerable fellow human beings.

Sokratis Famellos, Head of Environment and Energy SYRIZA-PS

​Peti Perkas, Deputy Head of Environment and Energy SYRIZA-PS

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