Pavlos Marinakis attempted to answer citizens’ key questions regarding support measures for fuel, arguing that the interventions cover or even exceed price increases. As highlighted, the subsidy returns the additional cost to consumers, while for diesel the reduction is applied directly at the pump. He also clarified that the failure to reduce the special consumption tax is due to European restrictions and that current measures provide greater benefit than a potential reduction would.
Compared to other countries like Spain, according to Mr. Marinakis, the relief in Greece is greater, taking into account recent tax reductions as well. Finally, he emphasizes that control mechanisms have been put in place to ensure the benefit reaches citizens, while leaving open the possibility of additional measures if the situation deteriorates.
@pavlos_marinakis • Gasoline or diesel? • Subsidy at the pump or fuel pass? 👉 Let’s answer all questions about the measures announced by the Prime Minister. #pavlosmarinakis #neadimokratia #explanation #economics
Pavlos Marinakis’s post
You are rightfully raising many questions or objections following the measures announced by the Prime Minister. I’ve gathered the most basic ones and will try to answer them.
1. “How much do we get back?” “In reality, they get back what they pay extra for gasoline due to the increases. Someone, for example, who spends 150 euros per month on fuel will get back 25 euros, which is the increase due to price hikes. While those of you who use diesel, this reduction is at the pump, meaning 20 cents less.”
2. “Why don’t you reduce the tax, the special consumption tax?” “Let’s see exactly what would happen if we reduced the tax and whether it would be better for you. Starting with diesel. The special consumption tax is 41 cents per liter. How much can we reduce it, based on the European directive? 8 cents. To bring it to 33. We reduce it by 20 cents instead of 8, so the benefit is greater. Now let’s go to gasoline. The special consumption tax is 70 cents. How much does Europe allow us to reduce it? By 34.1 cents at most. How much do we reduce it? 36 cents and 43 cents for those on the islands. So even for gasoline, we reduce it more.”
3. “Why don’t you do what Spain does?” “How much is the benefit in Spain for fuel after their interventions? 30 cents. How much did we say the benefit is for 3 out of 4 in our country? 36 cents and 43 cents on the islands. ‘Yes, but Spain takes other measures too’… I remind you that a few months ago we announced the largest tax reform, where income tax was reduced for all natural persons by at least 2 units and much more if you have children or if you are young.”
4. “And might this money end up with companies?” “A logical question. No, because we have also set a cap on maximum profit margin, so these measures will pass to the consumer.” 5. “Will more measures be announced?” “As long as we continue to have higher tax revenues while reducing taxes, which is good, we will return to society what it has been deprived of. The measures are those that have been announced so far, but if the situation gets even more out of hand, we won’t leave society helpless.”
