Displays of sensitivity
It is not difficult to imagine what motivated 41 New Democracy lawmakers, most of them the representatives of rural constituencies, to sign a petition asking the government to reduce the special consumption tax on heating oil in order to make it cheaper.
Basically, they wanted to make a good impression on the voters as they planned to visit their constituencies for the holidays.
What is unacceptable is that their petition essentially has the political backing of Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras.
This is an exceptionally difficult period for Greece and one that demands all Finance Ministry officials be on the same page when it comes to crucial policy issues, including the sensitive issue of the tax on heating oil.
