Mitsotakis Warns of 'Difficult Winter' Without EU Fiscal Flexibility on Fuel Taxes

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has told Bloomberg that Greece needs greater fiscal flexibility from the European Union to cushion households against rising energy costs, warning that without it, the coming winter "will be difficult."

Mr. Mitsotakis said Greece's strong fiscal position — a budget surplus and rapidly falling deficit — gives it room to support incomes, but argued Brussels must act to grant member states additional flexibility. 

On fuel taxation specifically, he said Greece's high tax rate can only come down if the EU grants an exemption, since the country currently lacks the fiscal space to cut it unilaterally. 

He said those discussions are ongoing at the European level, stressing that any such move wouldn't signal an abandonment of the green transition.

Mr. Mitsotakis reaffirmed his commitment to Greece's energy transition, noting that renewables now generate more than 55% of the country's electricity, while acknowledging fossil fuels will continue playing a role in energy security in the near term.

On the broader economy, Mr. Mitsotakis pointed to Greece's transformation since the 2010 debt crisis, saying few would have predicted the country could now borrow more cheaply than four G7 economies. 

He said Greece's fiscal credibility, rebuilt over the past decade, now gives Athens standing to push for exceptions to EU rules. 

"We have credibility in Europe, and we can talk about possible exceptions," he said. "And I say that as a European, not just as a Greek."

Mr. Mitsotakis's comments come as Athens prepares to unveil a domestic heating oil and diesel subsidy package in the coming days, separate from any EU-level tax relief still under discussion.

Ακολουθήστε το στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσεις
Δείτε όλες τις τελευταίες Ειδήσεις από την Ελλάδα και τον Κόσμο, στο