Speaking on Kontra Channel on the evening of Wednesday, 11 March 2026, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis outlined the government’s intent to mitigate — even if only in the near term — the impact of the ongoing crisis through recently announced measures.
Targeting Unjustified Price Surges
Kontogeorgis stressed that while no precise forecasts are possible — as outcomes will depend entirely on the duration and intensity of the crisis — the government’s priority is to limit its socioeconomic fallout. The measures, he explained, are designed not to prevent legitimate price adjustments tied directly to increased costs caused by the crisis, but rather to stop irrational, excessive hikes beyond what the situation justifies.
He noted that lessons drawn from previous crises have equipped authorities with better tools to detect market distortions and misleading pricing practices earlier. “There is a methodology — a way to identify the problem sooner,” he said, acknowledging that tackling the issue remains far from simple.
Profit Margin Cap and Enforcement Readiness
On the newly introduced cap on profit margins, Kontogeorgis confirmed the government is actively testing the measure and expects it to be effective. He added that relevant oversight mechanisms and ministries are fully prepared for implementation. “We’ve communicated clearly to all market actors the importance of social co-responsibility — and made it clear the government will remain closely engaged on these issues,” he emphasized.
Broader Economic Context
The deputy minister also highlighted recent improvements in wages and household incomes, alongside Greece’s economic growth rate — nearly double that of other European Union countries. He pointed to recent government initiatives supporting families, tenants, and vulnerable groups.
Looking ahead, Kontogeorgis underscored the need for a resilient economic policy — one that ensures Greece does not become “a feather in the wind” during turbulent times, as it was in the past, with serious consequences for the country’s stability and prosperity.