Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos outlined a series of consumer protection measures during an interview on ERTNEWS today (24 June 2026). He emphasized that the government has taken unprecedented steps to make markets fairer and more accessible—particularly for those most in need.
Unprecedented Price Cap Measures
“We’ve introduced interventions to reshape the market, making it more just and affordable. No other European country has adopted similar measures,” Theodorikakos said. He highlighted the price cap on profit margins for food and essential goods—a policy he stressed had never been implemented before by any previous Greek government, including PASOK or SYRIZA administrations. “It’s highly interventionist—and so far, it has led to price reductions across hundreds of products,” he added.
Fuel Cap Set for Lifting
The minister confirmed the same cap mechanism was applied to fuel prices during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With signs pointing toward de-escalation, he noted the government’s current priority is to lift the cap. “If it becomes clear the war is ending, fuel markets will stabilize—and the measure will no longer be needed,” he explained.
National Social Agreement Imminent
Theodorikakos revealed he is in continuous dialogue with food industry representatives and supermarket chains to finalize a national social agreement aimed at sustaining price reductions. “We’re expecting their latest proposals within the next three to four days, after which we’ll make formal announcements,” he said. He stressed that the focus must remain on staple items central to Greek households. “Otherwise, the price cap will have to stay in place—we have no alternative tool to regulate the market effectively.”
Defending the PosoKanei Platform
Responding to opposition criticism of the new digital platform PosoKanei, Theodorikakos expressed disappointment that basic consumer transparency tools are being politicized. “It’s regrettable that something so self-evident has become a partisan issue—especially ahead of elections,” he remarked. The platform, developed by Greece’s newly established Independent Authority, aggregates real-time pricing data from all major supermarkets—updated at least once daily—enabling consumers to identify the lowest prices for everyday goods. “Consumer organizations should have done this years ago. Instead, it’s the state stepping in—applying strict oversight and enforcing legislation we’ve already passed, to ensure citizens aren’t left unprotected,” he said.
Broader Consumer Safeguards
The minister also pointed to broader support measures, including debt relief initiatives that ease repayment burdens for loan borrowers. A draft bill on consumer credit—currently open for public consultation—is set to follow, aiming to shield citizens from abusive banking practices. “These are tangible actions people see and understand. Our job isn’t to rest—but to keep improving things for every citizen,” he concluded.