Measures of 1.1 billion euros will be announced tomorrow, which will concern 3.2 million vulnerable citizens, said the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his televised message, in view of tomorrow’s announcements (at 8.30 am) of the support measures to address the effects of price increases on citizens. The prime minister sent his message from his home, where he is as he tested positive for the coronavirus.
In fact, he was unshaven and had a slight hoarseness.
Mr. Mitsotakis also stated that the measures concern citizens with an income of up to 30,000 euros per year, while he announced that soon there will be new announcements.
The settings – as he said – will apply to all fronts of accuracy:
‘Boosting income by one extraordinary allowance to the low-paid and the low-income.
Supporting families with children, who now have the most expenses.
The generous subsidy of electricity bills.
But also the partial absorption of increases in fuelwith the coverage 180 liters for the movement of vehicles.
“While they are combined with special concerns for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, which have been particularly hit by the increases in electricity.”
The Prime Minister added that the interventions are targeted and not horizontal, with a special emphasis on supporting the weakest. They are also aligned with prudent fiscal policy which has been drawn up by the government from the beginning.
The message of the Prime Minister
“I want to address each and every one of you at a time when our world is experiencing its deepest geopolitical crisis for almost eight decades.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings war back to Europe. It paves the way for the questioning of borders, the violent imposition of the strongest and the uprooting of millions of people. But it is also causing a huge energy crisis, with unprecedented waves of precision threatening the well-being of all societies.
As in any country, so in Greece, this new adventure has consequences. We see them in the prices of electricity, fuel and other products. This is despite the fact that the state, since the autumn, already covers a large part of the price increases, supporting households and businesses.
The unrest, however, is international. That is why dealing with it can only be, first and foremost, a matter for our European family.
The latter acquires special significance, as the forces of populism across the continent again attempt to circulate easy and simplistic answers to difficult and complex questions. They hide, for example, that price increases are imported, seeking national responsibilities. And they suggest inapplicable solutions that caress ears but tie minds and hands.
In the face of all this, the language of truth remains our weapon. Realism and the result.
I feel the difficulties around us. The agony when the electricity bill opens in the house, when the gaze looks at the supermarket shelf or the gas meter.
I also know that what we have achieved for almost three years, reducing taxes and levies and increasing disposable income, is now besieged by accuracy. While the fact that the economy and society have survived thanks to the 43 billion against the pandemic is not enough to feel safe today.
That is why, following our proposal, the Commission is already working on interventions in shaping wholesale gas prices. In order to hit the international speculation that feeds the geopolitical crisis, causing chain price increases.
It is time for politics to set rules in the markets. And companies with profits from this situation to take a share in the cost of exceeding it. I hope that at the next European Council we will agree on this.
But that is not enough. We must act, once again, at national level as well. So, tomorrow morning, the Ministers of Finance, Energy and Rural Development will announce a quarterly program of significant additional aid.
These are measures aimed at the weakest and the middle class. Planned interventions of 1.1 billion that will relieve 3.2 million vulnerable citizens, but also households with an income of up to 30,000 euros per year.
The regulations cover all fronts of accuracy: boosting income with an extraordinary allowance for the low-paid and low-retirees. Supporting families with children, who now have the most expenses. The generous subsidy of electricity bills. But also the partial absorption of increases in fuel, with the coverage of 180 liters for the movement of vehicles. While combined with special concerns for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, which have been particularly hit by increases in electricity.
And, of course, all this is framed by the new, lower ENFIA and the impending second increase of the minimum wage. Because wages in our country are, unfortunately, still low. And accuracy gnaws at disposable income.
It is an initiative that follows the 2.6 billion euros that have already been allocated since the outbreak of the energy crisis. And for measures that will apply for April, May and June. As I said, their implementation will be simple and will be explained in detail tomorrow by the competent Ministers.
However, all the new regulations serve two principles: first, they are targeted and not horizontal, with a special emphasis on supporting the weakest. And secondly, they are in line with the prudent fiscal policy that we have pursued from the outset. A choice that converges with the needs of society, but does not deviate from the resilience of the economy. And who faces the present without mining the future.
That is, they include what I call “measures measured by reality”. Because the international upheaval will pass, but the country must be able to continue its course dynamically.
Of course, I hear from now on the cries of the opposition for “crumbs” and “social analgesia”. But I assure you that I would be the first to decide on a larger support package if I was sure that this would not jeopardize fiscal stability.
But, unfortunately, our country has not yet fully recovered from the 10-year economic crisis. We have not yet reached the coveted investment level. And speculators will always lurk to exploit any of our weaknesses.
So, as the coming seasons are uncharted, I am not going to, temporarily pleasingly, undermine the development course of our place. We have made many sacrifices to roll back.
My promise to always be by the side of the citizen is true as never before, without hiding the obstacles. Giving, however, directions to overcome them, as we have done many times. From immigration and national challenges, to the battle for health and economic recovery.
So it will be today. The road is uphill but we have the right compass to reach our destination, face the accuracy and return to development.
At the same time, the country is playing a leading role in overcoming old dogmas and building Europe’s Strategic Autonomy. On the international chessboard we are on the side of Peace, International Law and the West. Faithful to the demands of our alliances but also demanding to our allies. Something that also concerns the national issues, where I think that the attitude of most of the forces is common, as I found out talking to the leaders of the parties.
Finally, we claim our energy self-sufficiency. This means investing in Renewables, overcoming any bureaucratic hurdles. Development of electrical connections with countries such as Egypt. Transformation of our homeland into a gateway for liquefied natural gas. Energy saving programs and replacement of old devices. And, of course, exploitation of national gas fields with economic interest. There will be new announcements on this issue soon.
I close with the common expectation that this global storm will be temporary. Exceeding it, however, will have lasting positive results. And these we must claim.
The crisis in Ukraine means the victory of Freedom and Democracy. The difficulties that Europe is experiencing to arm it with courage and power. While for Greece and this test to become again another opportunity to overcome our weaknesses and become better.
Thank you”.
Tomorrow’s announcements will be made by the Ministers of Finance Christos StaikouraEnvironment and Energy Costa SkrekaRural Development and Food George Georgantas and the Deputy Minister of Finance Theodore Skylakaki.
The presentation will be moderated by the Deputy Minister in addition to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou.
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