EC: "Power cannot be cut if the fee is unpaid"

The PPC’s right to cut the power of citizens who do not pay any PPC tax but pays the electric bill is not valid . This has been stated by German Commissioner Mr. Oettinger, who is responsible for Energy, to SYRIZA MEP N. Houdis.

In particular, Mr. Houdis claimed that under EU law “the state has no right to impose on the PPC the right to discontinue the power for consumers who do not pay the claimed tax”, but normally pay for their electricity consumption. He stressed that much more importantly, power cannot be cut for vulnerable consumers, as stated in the relevant Directive 2009/72.

In his response, German Commissioner Mr. Oettinger, hightlights inter alia that in any case, governments must ensure “compliance with all relevant EU legislation, including Directive 2009/72/EC and those which relate to consumer protection, the rights of vulnerable consumers and universal service”.

Continuing his response, the EU energy commissioner is very clear: “The provisions on universal service generate a clear obligation for Member states to provide residential consumers with the right to have power. The directive does not contain any directions which hinge this right on the status of the household or its individuals according to their tax obligations", and he states: 'As for as the protection of vulnerable consumers, the Directive requires Member States to ensure that the rights and obligations are met by vulnerable consumers”.

Mr. Houdis, commenting on this answer, stated: “The callous government, which turns out to not respect any legitimacy, now dares to send riot police against those who defend the right of the lawfully paying citizen to have electric power. We call upon the government to take back the unacceptable tax after this answer. Those who were inspired and are still implementing this measure, which afflicts and intimidates the Greek people, deserve the outctry”.

As is known by government sources, informally, a solution is being sought, especially for cases of citizens who can demonstrate being unable to pay the fee.

There might be a cooperation between banks and tax offices in such a process, which is estimated to be an arrangement for the repayment of loans by citizens.