Mar 23 • 07:08 UTC 🇬🇷 Greece Naftemporiki

The state first overcharges on our backs

The article criticizes the Greek government's refusal to reduce fuel taxes despite the potential benefits for the economy and citizens.

The article from Naftemporiki discusses the Greek government's handling of fuel taxes and charges that it is profiting from the current economic situation. It suggests that if the Greek economy were performing well, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis could take proactive measures to reduce the fuel tax, which currently stands at €0.7 per liter, potentially lowering it to €0.359 per liter. Such a reduction, according to the article, is within EU limits and could significantly relieve citizens' financial burdens by countering price exploitation and ensuring lower costs for fuel.

The argument is made that the government's reliance on maintaining these high fuel taxes undermines the notion of fiscal stability. It highlights the contradiction in the government's position, where they appeal to fiscal stability while benefiting from consumers' burdens through both fuel taxes and value-added taxes (VAT). This reliance on tax revenue instead of fostering genuine economic growth—such as through investments—exposes the weak state of the economy, which could be otherwise thriving.

Ultimately, the article calls for a reevaluation of fiscal policies, urging the government to act in the citizens' favor by reducing the taxes that consistently pin down the economy. It argues that a healthier economy would be more likely to support fiscal stability even in challenging times, hence pointing to a need for a shift in approach by the Greek leadership.

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