The Government should study the proposals submitted by AKEL to confront price hikes/expensiveness

 

 

Statement by Marina Savva, Member of the C.C. of AKEL

23 February 2024, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The Christodoulides government’s much-publicised measures to relieve society from the poverty that is eroding incomes have not met the expectations of a large section of the population.

The extension of measures to address the high cost of electricity and fuel, although necessary, is not enough. More measures are needed.

One-off support for social groups is also an inadequate measure. Price hikes are not a one-off phenomenon that can be solved with one-off measures. Long-term measures are needed that provide real support for those in need.

The Christodoulides Government also “forgot” to take measures for pensioners, recipients of Minimum Guaranteed Income, Persons with Disabilities and other groups of the population.

Within a year, the Christodoulides Government has managed to disappoint the expectations it had raised and to disappoint society, which is reflected in numerous opinion polls.

The majority of society sees its income shrinking, hears empty talk and promises of support, but when it comes to action, it is disappointed again.

We call on the Government to reflect and study the proposals submitted by AKEL to confront the problem of poverty by taxing the exorbitant profits of companies in the energy sector, reducing VAT on electricity and the implementation of structural measures to reduce the cost of electricity, reshaping social policy, improving and redefining the criteria for benefits, and the elaboration of a comprehensive housing policy.