The finance minister has announced the submission of a supplementary budget, as the economy is moving satisfactorily, to further support households and businesses. Christos Staikouras without specifying the amount of the additional budget. However, he said that the response of taxpayers to their obligations (income tax, ENFIA, refundable advances – citizens paid out 3 billion euros last week without reducing deposits) and the course of tourism create additional fiscal space to increase spending on supporting households and businesses from autumn.

In a conversation with ERT1, when asked if there will be a Fuel Pass-3, he replied that “it’s still early. Fuel subscription-2 ends in September, and then we’ll see, depending on the rate of fuel prices. In any case, the fiscal space will return to society.”

At the same time, the minister left open the possibility of increasing the heating allowance, saying that “it is clear that fuel oil is one of the elements that we take into account, like many other measures. But I can’t tell you about autumn right now.” He added that “at the beginning of September we will see how the economy is moving, how GDP will develop in the second quarter and the needs of the fourth quarter. In any case, the announcements will be in September. It just so happens that TIF is also at this time.”

When asked about granting a “punctuality check” or speeding up a new increase in the minimum wage, the minister replied “everything is on time”. Pointing out that “the economy ship has been going well for three years now, but we have and will have many Beauforts in these months.” Adding in general that “financial space must also be provided to fulfill the obligation to abolish the solidarity collection from 2023 for all employees and retirees.”

Bold European decisions are needed to be accurate (with gas prices at their peak), Mr. Staikouras said, stating that “he is more optimistic than a few months ago about a pan-European solution.”