The cost of a war – Article by Eleni Mavrou, AKEL Political Bureau member

 

Sunday 20 March 2022, “Haravgi” newspaper

A war, whatever the reasons or excuses used to justify it, has a heavy cost: human lives are lost, thousands or even millions become refugees, entire regions or even countries are turned into ruins.

Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, who are currently paying the heaviest cost, in the hope that diplomacy will finally prevail.

However, our thoughts are also with the millions of people who are already paying for the war with a terrible impoverishment. And they are not only in Ukraine or Russia, but across the whole Europe, including Cyprus.

The sanctions that the European Union has chosen to impose on Russia are already having incalculable consequences in Europe itself. Inflation in the Eurozone had, just days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, reached 5.8% and does not seem to be stabilising. But this is almost double the 3% rate considered acceptable for an economy.

The only winners, for the moment, from this economic war seem to be the US which, although not really affected by the embargo on Russian oil announced, has been quick to cover its back by seeking deals even with… Iran and Venezuela!

Europe, on the other hand, imports 25% of its oil from Russia and 40% of its gas. So whatever measures it decides to take to wean itself off these supplies, if eventually will work, will be in the long-run.

However, the common people are already paying dearly for increased electricity or gas bills and increased prices across the board.

• According to the European Statistical Office, the cost to Cypriot households of everyday shopping for essential goods increased by 10% in the year to the end of February, compared to last year.
• A survey carried out by the Consumer Protection Service points out that in the last month price increases were imposed on 60% of essential goods and increases of up to 30% on fuel prices in just fifteen days. –
• The Building Contractors Association warns that by the end of last year prices of building materials had risen by 17%, and in the last month they have risen by an additional 20%.

And more price increases are expected!

One would therefore have expected the government to announce immediate and decisive measures to alleviate the galloping price hikes and increases.

All we have seen is the reduction, two weeks ago, of consumer tax on fuel. Even that, however, was wiped out in a few days as, literally overnight, all the fuel companies raised their prices!

And we have the Minister of Energy, Natasha Pilidou, provoking our intelligence by claiming that all companies (coincidentally) received “new more expensive cargoes of fuel” during the same period and insisting that “there is no justification for setting a cap”.

At the same time, the government has never seriously discussed the proposals and suggestions that AKEL and other parties are submitting in Parliament.

Solutions do exist. It’s the will that doesn’t exist