It’s no April Fool’s Day joke. From today onwards, citizens are expected to tighten their belts even further and develop additional antibodies to withstand yet another wave of soaring prices—a tsunami in recent years—which is not only anticipated to hit hard but in some cases, may overwhelm them.
It’s not as simple as it sounds or as effortlessly announced in recent days as if it were a minor detail amidst the many pressing issues we face (such as local government elections, European Parliament elections, and the plight of Avvakum, which we seem to have forgotten about). We also tend to forget the messages and meanings of the day itself, as this harsh reality of rising prices makes our everyday lives even more unpredictable.
Effective this morning, the reduced tax rate on fuel, which was cut by 8.3 cents per litre, has expired. This comes at a challenging time, coincidental with the implementation of green taxation, which is expected to further increase the retail price of fuel. The very concept of “green,” which once evoked images of lush oases, now feels like a nightmare due to the unsustainable policies it promotes, affecting consumers and households alike.
There’s a general perception that the middle class will be the hardest hit. However, this notion that those at the brink of poverty—and there are many such individuals—who receive public assistance, will be shielded from the impact, is misleading. A simple calculation will prove otherwise.
For those who think that we can shrug off the bitter truths of the situation as an April Fool’s joke, there’s more to come. Containing the inevitable wave of rising prices across the board and taming the beast of speculation in the marketplace in the upcoming days will be no easy feat.
And for those who enjoy comparing our situation with that of other countries, it takes courage to acknowledge the stark realities and not just focus on selective, favourable comparisons. The fact is, any increases in fuel prices in Cyprus cannot be fairly compared with nations that have well-developed transport and infrastructure systems. Inevitably, comparisons will be drawn regarding the privileges and special entitlements that remain untouchable, in contrast to the dire circumstances faced by the “commoners.” So, no, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke; we must face this challenge too.rising prices. rising prices, tax rate, middle class
