In a winter of extreme economic pressure comes the Greek society, as the rally of international fuel prices relentlessly hits the consumer's pocket.
Speaking on Ert News Radio, the president of the Association of Fuel Traders, Nikos Papageorgiou, went on to make a nightmarish prediction of the progress of prices, stressing that «They'll arrive in the winter when we say the gas is at 2 euros, we'll go get some.».
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East and the launch of Brent's price near $100 a barrel, form an explosive setting, which Greek reality is unable to absorb.
As Mr Papageorgiou has explained, our country is not Switzerland or Austria to have wages that withstand such shocks, resulting in high prices creating suffocation in the popular and middle layers.
Shock 70% in heating oil and government responsibilities
Even more grim is the image of home heating. The market estimate is that heating oil will start this season at least 70% more expensive than the start of last year. Already in northern Greece citizens have been forced to light the fireplaces since mid-September, unable to cope with the cost.
The ball is now clearly on the field of government, which is called upon to abandon passive attitude. According to industry representatives, the only solution to reverse this destructive course is the dynamic state intervention with a substantial reduction in the Special Consumption Tax (EFK) ahead of 15 October.
The Natural Gas Trap
A key role in the domino of precision that attracts oil, electricity and wood, plays natural gas.
According to the president of the agents, the incorrect handling of the «green» policies led to exclusive dependence on natural gas —The «flagship of negative developments»— Isolating early other forms of energy production and condemning consumers to a lasting rally of valuations.
