Greece seeks to lower heating oil prices and increase aid, Mitsotakis calls for stability after elections

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an interview with ERT television that the government would intervene in the price of heating oil, which is expected to go on sale on October 15.

The executive’s aim is to bring the initial price below 1.75 euros per litre, from the current level of 2 euros. At the same time, an across-the-board increase in heating assistance is also planned.

Details of the measures are expected to be made public at the beginning of next week. Mitsotakis did not rule out imposing a cap on profit margins in the market and, if deemed necessary, temporarily reducing the excise duty.

According to him, the support will be provided by both the state and the refineries. During October, the intervention may also include fuel used for vehicles.

Fuel prices remain high in Greece. The latest official data, for September 16, show that unleaded petrol cost an average of 2.173 euros per litre, while diesel for vehicles cost 2.150 euros per litre.

Heating oil is used by more than 2 million households, representing 47% of the population. It has not yet gone on sale, as the season begins in mid-October, but current estimates put its price at 2 euros per litre.

Regarding the economy, the prime minister said that the measures presented at the Thessaloniki International Fair had been included in the budget calculations. He assured that, despite international uncertainty, Greece does not face the risk of a new debt crisis.

Speaking about political developments, Mitsotakis called for stability after the elections and reiterated that his objective remains the formation of a single-party government led by New Democracy.

As for tensions with Turkey, he said Ankara’s rhetoric had become harsher, but stressed that Athens would not engage in a war of words. Mitsotakis said no meeting with President Erdogan had been scheduled in New York, although he did not rule out the possibility of a bilateral meeting.