DISY, AKEL, and ELAM describe the government’s new measures as positive, but insufficient to address the full range of pressures households are facing today. Representatives of the three parties agree on the need for additional measures, focusing on energy costs, fuel, housing, and support for the middle class.
DISY Vice President Savia Orfanidou stated that “any measure announced to help our fellow citizens, especially given these levels of inflation, is legitimate and a step in the right direction,” and she particularly welcomed the support for heating oil and the one-time payments to citizens in need. He emphasized, however, that high prices are not a new problem and that a more holistic and long-term policy is needed, with investments in energy storage, greater support for electric vehicles, and strengthening social housing. As he said, “these are positive steps, but more is needed,” noting that if oil prices rise further, new measures will be required.
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On the part of AKEL, the party’s Press Spokesperson, Haris Polykarpou, argued that the government’s decision to take action confirms his party’s position that immediate measures were necessary. He noted that the package’s impact is limited relative to the scale of the problem, while also raising the issue of increased government revenue resulting from the high cost of living. “The question is what the government is giving back from the additional revenue it is collecting due to inflation,” he said, arguing that the measures do not provide substantial support to the middle and lower income classes.
Mr. Polykarpou referred to the proposals submitted by AKEL for a transportation allowance, a 50% reduction in vehicle registration fees, and greater relief on heating oil. He further argued that a more comprehensive plan is needed to reduce electricity costs and improve oversight of the fuel market, noting that “it is not enough to simply have a piecemeal policy if you lack a comprehensive plan.”
ELAM MP Marios Pelekanos, for his part, made it clear that his party does not rule out government intervention. “Is it enough? No,” he said, pointing out that rising energy and housing costs, interest rates, and rents continue to erode households’ purchasing power, even when they receive government assistance. He cited housing as an example and referred to ELAM’s proposal to raise the maximum property value threshold for the application of the reduced 5% VAT rate from €350,000 to €425,000, citing the sharp rise in housing prices in recent years.
According to Mr. Pelekanos, the current state of public finances allows the government to proceed with more targeted interventions. “We now have this flexibility to intervene, and we must provide targeted relief where the needs are greatest,” he said, noting that emergency aid to households is not sufficient on its own to cover their increased obligations.
