No more excuses for price increases and the high cost of living

 

Statement by AKEL Political Bureau member and Head of AKEL’s Economic Policy Charis Polycarpou

2 May 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

At the same time as Cyprus tops the table as far as the increase in the price of electricity is concerned, the government and the ruling DISY party are once again invoking the past – as they themselves like to present it – instead of planning for the future.

At a time when one after another European countries are securing exemptions in the European Union in order to relieve their economies, the government and the ruling DISY party, instead of offering solutions, are finding excuses for every problem.

In the face of the Anastasiades – DISY government’s inability to deal with price increases/hikes, AKEL is not looking for any excuses. It will continue to stand by society and working people with the submission of specific proposals and assumption of initiatives.

First, with the proposal for a law it has already tabled to enable the imposition of a cap on fuel due to the continuous price increases.

Second, with the bill proposal AKEL has tabled aiming at abolishing the double taxation on fuel, by abolishing the imposition of VAT on excise duty.

Third, by insisting that the reduction of VAT on electricity from 19% to 9% be extended for as long as the acute phenomena of price rises in the economy prevail.