Tsipras: "Don't cut the power"

“The PPC has undertaken a very thankless role, which has led it to a reduction in the revenues necessary for viability”, said Alexis Tsipras, who visited the offices of the Public Power Corporation on Wednesday.

However, as the SYRIZA president noted, “we have to directly look at the aspect of the survival of the large part of the population, who are on the verge of economic deprivation”.

“Taking into account that access to electricity, a public good, is a prerequisite for the survival for all of us, we ask the PPC to “freeze” the process of stopping the supply of power until we table the matter in the House. It is a big social problem and it must be a political decision”, said the SYRIZA president.

While the black hole in the funds of the PPC and their negative image leave open the possibility of tariff increases, Alexis Tsipras chose to make his first post-election appearance in its premises.

The president of SYRIZA met with the Managing Director of the Company, Arthur Zervos, was briefed on the finances of the PPC and expressed his party’s objections against both the increase in tariffs and the interruption of electrical supply to households that fail to meet their obligations.

On his part, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Arthur Zervos announced that the company will collaborate with special services for uncollectable accounts and expressed his optimism that the refinancing of loans will be completed soon.

He stated that there is no question of cooperation with companies, added that the situation became worse after the imposition on the property fee and hoped that the tax will not be included in the bills for 2012.

Mr. Zervos said that he intends to present the situation to Environment Minister Evangelos Livieratos in detail and stressed that the price increase is the obvious solution for the energy market. He added that with 5% more there is no impression on the market, since it is proportional to the percentage increase in energy.