Neophytou to announce 100-point plan on Monday to tackle inflation crisis

Ruling Disy leader and presidential candidate Averof Neophytou is on Monday expected to announce a series of ‘radical proposals’ to deal with the inflation crisis, it emerged on Sunday.

Neophytou, in an interview with Phileleftheros, said he would be announcing his ‘100 policies’ on Monday after listening to public opinion on the matter.

According to what was revealed in the interview, he proposes direct tax relief on annual incomes up to 28,000 euros for a period of one year, plus for anyone whose income is below 19,500 euros – the income tax threshold, the state would cover their social insurance contributions.

‘The 100 policies of Averof Neophytou’ will be presented in detail on Monday, the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Disy party, and the point from where his election campaign began, according to Phileleftheros said.

Other proposals for economic support would be the construction of new homes for refugees who do not have title deeds, and also for people who live in neighbourhoods facing serious problems or who live in houses or apartments that are in poor condition.

“There is no better way to honour our past than to point the way to the future,” he was quoted as saying. “Disy is inextricably intertwined with our collective effort for the advancement and prosperity of this country, for a free, united and European Cyprus.”

The government has received some flak since meeting on Friday to discuss the energy and inflation crises because it focused more on long-term green goals as a solution rather than offer immediate relief to consumers.

President Nicos Anastasiades said on Saturday that new relief measures would be announced by the end of August when the current ones end.

The Consumers and Quality of Life Union on Sunday said it was ‘bitterly disappointed’ with the outcome of the meeting for “not understanding the desperation and indignation of both consumers and businesses that are suffering”.

“On the one hand, the continuous inexplicable, unjust and unacceptable increases in fuel even in periods when reductions should be made, and on the other, the reckless overcharging of electricity to the point of exploiting consumers, have led to uncontrolled increases in food, basic necessities, construction, services and in general and without exception in everything,” the Union said.

“Unfortunately, another hope and another opportunity for the president to meet the expectations of consumers has been lost.”