Androulakis: The gov't continues to caress the banks

The consumers told Androulakis that they have to deal with the hike in prices in basic goods and a drastic reduction of their purchasing power while, on their part, the shop owners pointed out their high operational costs.

After the end of his tour of the market, Androulakis stated: "The high prices have caused the purchasing power of Greek citizens to collapse. Instead of having policies that would reduce the VAT on basic goods, a cap on the retail price of electricity and a reduction of the special consumption taxes on fuel for the regions which are already experiencing a heavy winter, the government continues to caress the banks and of course subsidise the excessive profits of the major energy production companies".

"These political choices," he underlined, "are choices for the few at the expense of the many. This government should change its strategy quickly and, as much as we can, by telling the truth and speak with realism, we should show the Greek people that there is another way in the next general elections. A way far from populism, but also from the elitism that today condemns the middle class and the most vulnerable citizens," Androulakis concluded.