The government’s announcements about the date of arrival of natural gas is like some prolonged fairy tale

Statements by AKEL Political Bureau member Neoklis Sylikiotis:

 

The measures taken by the previous government were minimal compared to what it should have taken and it is the first time the EU has permitted the reduction of VAT, AKEL Political Bureau member Neoklis Sylikiotis told ‘Astra’ radio, commenting on the current government’s decision to end subsidies on electricity and fuel.

N.Sylikiotis pointed out that expensiveness is eating away at working people’s income, given that the increase in fuel and electricity affects all products. For that reason, he added, the subsidy should have been horizontal. This, he explained, does not mean a loss of revenue to the government as the purchasing power of citizens is not reduced if there is a subsidy. N. Sylikiotis criticized the previous government which made surpluses due to the tax it had imposed on citizens.

Regarding the recent meeting between AKEL and the Minister of Energy, Neoklis Sylikiotis referred to the previous government’s prolonged fairy tale about the date of the arrival of natural gas, noting that Energy Minister Papanastasiou confirmed that the arrival of natural gas is expected at the end of 2024 – early 2025.

However, N.Sylikiotis noted, citizens will continue in the meantime to pay for the pollutants during. At the same time, he said, the natural gas plant which costs 160 million euros and which can be ready by the end of the year will not have gas to operate.