The high cost of living is rising but the government isn’t moved
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas
21 March 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
Today the press again revealed the continuous rise of prices and high cost of living in our country, but the government is neither moved, nor willing to clash with the powerful interests.
- On electricity, they refuse to remove the renewable energy fee from bills, to make use of the revenues from pollutants to provide support for vulnerable consumers and to hold lowest-price tenders for electricity from photovoltaic plants instead of buying it at a predetermined much higher price.
- On fuel, the Minister of Commerce rejects the imposition of a cap, even though the law clearly provides for it when circumstances demand the protection of consumers. The Minister also rejects AKEL’s request for the abolition of the absurd double taxation imposed on fuel. And on top of that, they either do not carry out the required checks over profiteering and speculation in the market or find no irregularities on the part of the companies.
- On essential goods, they must belatedly understand the urgency of reducing VAT, otherwise thousands of households will see their income disappear from the beginning of the month.
AKEL has been tabling numerous proposals for months now to curb price increases. The ruling DISY party must realise that in the time it has left in power, it must at long last address effectively the burning problem of the price of essential goods, which is crushing our society and nibbling away at people’s standard of living.
