SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras said the government's strategy is "irresponsible, if not criminal," speaking at the city of Thessaloniki on Thursday, where he met with representatives of regional business and industry associations.
Discussing national economy and potential support measures, Tsipras said that "the government's strategy of merely following concerted practices, especially in the energy sector, but not intervening, while all along stating that the market can regulate itself, is an irresponsible if not criminal strategy," stressed Tsipras, "as energy costs have skyrocketed globally, while in our country they are the most expensive in Europe."
This problem can be best understood from the consumers' point of view, noted Tsipras, "seeing the reduction of purchasing power and stagnant wages."
From the point of view of the entrepreneur or the producer, the increase in prices will lead to a decrease in demand, he added.
"We are entering a vicious circle, so I think it is time to see how we will intervene to deal with the problems that have arisen before they become insurmountable," he said.
Tsipras also proposed a series of measures, against what he called "an explosive set of circumstances":
- Suspension of excise duty on natural gas
- Freezing of excise tax on agricultural diesel
- Suspension of excise tax on heating oil for households
- Significant reduction in excise duty on transport diesel and petrol
- Extension of heating allowances to higher income levels, particularly in northern Greece due to the colder, longer winter
"I find it inconceivable that bearing in mind the state of the economy the government is making announcements celebrating high growth rates," he observed.
The main opposition party leader will be attending TIF 2021 on September 18-19.