By Antonis Anzoletou

In less than five months, the European elections will be held and it is certain that the debate on the civil marriage of same-sex couples and childbearing will not occupy the news forever. Even the leaks that will be recorded in the parties will be forgotten in a short time.

The prime minister knew from the beginning that the far-right rhetoric would intensify and some would rush to take advantage of it.

The rights of same-sex couples is a very important issue of equality that must exist today, without any asterisks. However, the discussion of economy and accuracy in the market will soon overshadow everything. Especially when very early, in February, unexpectedly, Maximos “messed up” with the passage of the regulation in the Parliament.

There is positive news. In addition to the return to the investment grade, it is the increases that will begin to be recorded in pensioners, civil servants, as well as the rise in the minimum wage. All this will boost household income. It is also estimated that the GDP growth rate will be close to 3% with a parallel increase in investments and further de-escalation of unemployment.

But what does all this mean for the wallet of small and medium-sized businesses? Already last week, measures were announced to stop price increases in the already essential goods.

Food inflation is running high and announcements need to be implemented quickly through ministerial decisions. Farm-to-shelf prices should be regulated and fruit and vegetables – like olive oil – rationalized.

Food prices rose nearly 9% in December and olive oil compared to last year by 60%. There are many “bells” ringing in Maximos as the daily life of consumers has become very difficult. It goes without saying that as the European elections approach, the entire opposition will not leave the government in the dark on this particular issue. Both with interventions in the Parliament and with mobilizations, but also with announcements. SYRIZA and PASOK moved in this direction yesterday.

Many see the risk that the government will relent, as the accuracy so far has been problematic, but it has not cost it politically. This will not be the case forever, despite the fact that there is no opposition pole that can threaten Kyriakos Mitsotakis. According to information, in the planning of the staff of Nikis Street, there are favorable arrangements that will concern businesses that have debts to the tax office and the insurance funds. The aim is to prevent more locks from entering the market which will have a multiplier effect on the economy.

If, however, and in the next period until June, when the Euro elections will be held, households continue to “bleed”, nothing can be taken for granted. The European elections have always had a more relaxed character and it is not excluded that the most disaffected centrist – center-right moderate supporters of New Democracy from 2019 will show their displeasure on the screens. International developments threaten the old continent with a new wave of precision, as merchant ships in the Red Sea continue to be at risk from Houthi attacks.