The Greek government is preparing a package of measures to support households and businesses affected by high energy prices. It is expected to be announced on Wednesday or Thursday.
The package will consist of three main items, government spokesman Giannis Ikonomou told ANT1 TV channel earlier Tuesday. First, electricity and gas support will continue, the second component will be financial assistance, especially for the weakest and most vulnerable, and the third component will be fuel intervention.
Regarding measures to support electricity and natural gas, he indicated that “the measure will be horizontal. We will try to make it as effective and improved as possible, depending on the capabilities we have.”
On financial support for the vulnerable, he emphasized: “It will be money that somehow goes directly to people to help. We’re processing this now to exhaust all possible margins to see how far the boxes will extend. This will be money that will obviously not be taxed and will not be set off against any debt. People will get them as relief from the price increases they are facing.”
He added that “the third point is interference with fuel pricing. In Greece, as in all European countries, we are faced with an extremely difficult situation. As for fuel, there will be an intervention that will enable us to pay for it at a lower price than what is indicated at the gas station. And these criteria will be broader than the conditions of the previous category of aid payment.”
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