Özgür Ferhat criticises government over high electricity bills in energy-producing Rhodope
Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat has criticised Greece’s New Democracy government over its energy policies, arguing that residents of Rhodope continue to face high electricity bills despite the region’s strategic importance as an energy hub.
Speaking in the Greek Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, Ferhat questioned the government’s handling of energy costs and economic policy, particularly its plans to introduce changes to the energy market shortly before the next elections.
He argued that the government, which has been in power for seven years, had failed to address the high cost of electricity and reduce the financial burden on households.
RHODOPE'S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE DOES NOT BENEFIT LOCAL RESIDENTS
Ferhat highlighted Thrace and the Rhodope regional unit's importance to Greece’s energy infrastructure, pointing to electricity generation and transmission facilities, natural gas pipelines, wind turbines and solar power plants.
He also referred to the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) natural gas pipeline, which passes through the region, as well as two electricity transmission lines connecting Bulgaria and Greece.
Despite this extensive infrastructure, Ferhat said local residents continued to pay high electricity bills, arguing that the region's energy potential was not being sufficiently used to benefit the local population.
YOUTH MIGRATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT REMAIN MAJOR CONCERNS
The MP also addressed population decline, unemployment and migration in Rhodope and Western Thrace, questioning how the government intended to tackle these challenges.
He asked how the authorities planned to reverse population decline, reduce unemployment and prevent young people from moving to other regions or countries for economic reasons.
Ferhat also challenged government statements suggesting that unemployment was not a problem among people aged 25 to 40.
He argued that many people in this age group were leaving their home regions because they could not cope with the cost of everyday life and were seeking living conditions that offered greater economic security and dignity.
FERHAT SAYS ENERGY REFORMS FAIL TO EASE HOUSEHOLD PRESSURES
Addressing the government's proposed energy market changes, Ferhat argued that increasing the number of available providers did not necessarily mean consumers had genuine freedom of choice.
He also stressed that greater transparency in contract terms would not automatically make energy services more affordable for households.
According to the MP, household incomes had not increased sufficiently, the financial burden on consumers had not been reduced, and the necessary tax cuts had not been introduced. Instead, he accused the government of repeatedly increasing electricity bills.
Ferhat called for energy policies that would translate the region's strategic infrastructure and energy resources into tangible economic benefits for local residents.
