Η “βαρυχειμωνιά” για τα νοικοκυριά και τους καταναλωτές ήρθε νωρίς φέτος, καθώς η εκρηκτική αύξηση του ενεργειακού κόστους και η συνεχής άνοδος των τιμών στα καταναλωτικά αγαθά έχουν οδηγήσει τον πληθωρισμό στο 5,1% τον Σεπτέμβριο. Η κατάσταση αναμένεται να επιδεινωθεί για τις οικογένειες και τις επιχειρήσεις,καθώς οι χειμερινές συνθήκες θα αυξήσουν τις απαραίτητες δαπάνες.
Ωστόσο, δεν είναι μόνο οι πολίτες που πλήττονται από την ακρίβεια και ενδέχεται να βιώσουν έναν δύσκολο χειμώνα. Η οικονομική πίεση της χειμερινής περιόδου αναμένεται να έχει πολιτικές συνέπειες, καθώς μετά το τέλος του χειμώνα η χώρα μας θα εισέλθει σε προεκλογική περίοδο.
Η κυβέρνηση θα αντιμετωπίσει προκλήσεις στο να πείσει την κοινή γνώμη ότι οι αιτίες της κρίσης οφείλονται στις γεωπολιτικές εξελίξεις και στη διεθνή συγκυρία, ενώ υποστηρίζει ότι έχει κάνει όσα ήταν δυνατά για τη στήριξη των πιο ευάλωτων κοινωνικών ομάδων και των μικρών επιχειρήσεων.
Απαλλαγή από τα βάρη
The government’s challenge is to achieve the relief of additional burdens, which the Greek society will have to bear without disrupting the fiscal balances. This is undoubtedly a complex task, especially as recent polls indicate a growing weariness among voters.
The latest announcements from the Prime Minister primarily included measures aimed at reducing the bloating energy expenses. Specifically, there will be a subsidy of 15 cents per liter for diesel fuel until October 15th. This measure aims to combine with refinery discounts so that total relief reaches up to 20 cents.
Additonally, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that before October 15th there would be an announcement regarding the price at which heating oil will be available, expected to be lower than 1.75 euros, which was the closing price at the end of April during last season.
Aren’t thes interventions sufficient? Clearly, they are not enough , both for current conditions and for challenges in upcoming weeks.Notably absent are any measures addressing the price of gasoline , which affects millions of drivers. For instance, if a household purchases one liter of heating oil in October at 1.75 euros per liter—compared to last year’s opening price of 1.10 euros—it will incur an additional cost of 650 euros .
The hopes in EU and potential risks
the government has pinned its hopes on European Union initiatives that could allow it to implement significant measures such as a temporary reduction in Excise Duty. This explains Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s letter requesting this from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Though, as is frequently enough seen with EU processes,
decision-making can take time.This delay could lead to election losses for those currently in power in Greece during this extensive pre-election period.
< p >Nonetheless , K . Mitsotakis made it clear he would not succumb to temptation by offering benefits beyond fiscal capabilities . “It’s easy for me to open my purse,” he said . “I won’t do it because our priority is building on our progress and strengthening trust.” He also outlined his approach towards new challenges: “Even now , facing an energy crisis , how responsible is our policy if we keep reserves to support society?”
< p >It’s evident that the government opts not to intervene aggressively but rather respond according to developments . Political analysts suggest that if discontent grows over inadequate measures during winter , changing public sentiment before spring elections may prove challenging .
< p >< b > G.D.< / b >