SYRIZA: Gov't glosses over persistent issues of high prices, profiteering

The government seems to believe that double-digit inflation in foods is 'normal', and it rejoices now it dropped to single-digit inflation, which means price rises in food continue, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance charged on Thursday.

The main opposition party also accused the government and government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis of announcing "limited, slim, or even misleading reductions of prices - according to consumer representatives - that do not overturn the larger picture," that do not resolve the issues of high prices and profiteering.

Consumers are burdened by a reduced purchasing power and low wages, the commercialization of health, reduced turnovers and new tax and insurance burdens for SMEs and in general insecurity. "At the same time, the government, trying to avoid harming interests in the energy sector, stubbornly refuses to take radical measures of a permament nature on behalf of society to set the price of electricity, while it has that option," SYRIZA said.

The party's proposals, it reiterated, is to set a cap on electricity pricing and make targeted reductions in VAT and the consumer tax on basic goods and energy products, "highlighting the critical importance of lessening the burden on most citizens and (achieving) the economy's real development."