The Bank of Greece stands by the careful and targeted granting of extraordinary allowances from now on, as it is pointed out that despite the good performance of the Greek economy, the gap with the Eurozone average remains large.
A careful reading of the report of the governor of the Bank of Greece for 2023, published on April 8, shows that Giannis Stournaras warns that, despite the positive results recorded by the Greek economy recently, the situation remains particularly fragile and extreme caution is required manipulations for the future, especially with the implementation of the new Stability Pact in the Eurozone. In the recent report, which was presented by the governor of the Bank of Greece, Giannis Stournaras, both the performance and the events of 2023 are recorded, as well as the estimates for 2024 and especially the “hot” points that require special attention – indicatively, how to any extraordinary benefit that will need to be paid, its financing should be ensured in advance by imposing an equivalent measure.
At a time when Greek public debt in relation to GDP decreased by 10.8 percentage points to 162% in 2023 and, for the first time, is projected to record a decrease in absolute numbers within 2024, it is of extreme importance that the country does not lose at this point its adherence, as the distance from the Eurozone average remains large. It is recalled that Greece is by far the Eurozone country with the highest debt, followed by Italy.
The vocabulary used in the latest report of the governor of the Bank of Greece is reminiscent of phraseology with words carefully chosen one by one, as if it comes from a text drawn up after drafting between experienced diplomats who have no room for verbiage nor can allow interpretations that with their recommendations they want to intervene or indicate to those with political responsibility how they should operate. “Any fiscal space will be used to create a reserve and/or to reduce the public debt, while any extraordinary fiscal measure on the expenditure side should be financed by an equalizing revenue-raising measure. In such an environment of fiscal constraints, clear priorities should be set when taking possible new targeted support measures towards the most vulnerable income groups” states the latest report of the Governor of the Bank of Greece Giannis Stournaras.
As Yiannis Stournaras points out, it took 13 years for the Greek economy to return to the investment category it is in today, as trust and credibility towards the international markets are very difficult to regain if lost. “Political stability, fiscal stability, financial stability, are public goods and must be protected as the apple of the eye, especially in Greece which just a few years ago emerged from the biggest financial crisis in its modern history”, were the exact words of the governor of the Bank of Greece.
Fiscal and financial stability remain constant demands for Greece, as the new European Stability Pact comes into force immediately after the European elections in June. While the general direction of the Eurozone countries remains the continuation of the tightening of monetary policy and in an environment of increased international uncertainty, particularly careful handling is required for all the top issues of the Greek economy in 2024.
In 2023, a fiscal space was created for emergency interventions, without derailment
Yiannis Stournaras refers specifically to the financing of extraordinary fiscal interventions within 2023, “without derailing the fiscal course”, as he characteristically points out. The governor of the Bank of Greece with this reference, means the extraordinary financing in the form of bonuses or “-pass” paid within the year. It is characteristic that only from November 15, 2023 until the end of the year, the following four benefits were paid that related to special age and professional categories:
Social Solidarity Allowance, increased by 8%, with a cost to the budget of 43 million euros.
Youth Pass, a €150 check given to 200,000 18- to 19-year-olds.
Heating allowance, from 100 to 800 euros, with expanded income criteria.
One-off pensioner allowance, from 100 to 200 euros for about 750,000 pensioners, who had a personal difference of more than 10 euros.
With a tone of optimism, Mr. Stournaras also notes that “exceeding fiscal targets for another year strengthens the country’s fiscal credibility and makes it safer to reach the primary surplus target in 2024, in a period of increased uncertainty and reactivation of the ‒ now revised ‒ fiscal rules”. However, in order for this to become a reality and indeed within the new framework set by the Stability Pact, the situation in 2024 needs to be different and therefore, Yannis Stournaras warns that from now on any necessary emergency grant should only be granted if it is ensured – obviously through taxation – the corresponding fund, so that the state’s expenditures do not increase and the economy remains on a trajectory of debt reduction.
Bank of Greece: Priorities in targeted measures towards the most vulnerable groups
The new European economic governance framework (Stability Pact) presupposes a prudent medium-term fiscal planning with restrictions on the taking of extraordinary measures, Mr. Stournaras accurately states and emphasizes that from now on any fiscal space should be used for the creation of a reserve and/or to reduce the public debt. “Any extraordinary fiscal measure on the expenditure side should be financed by an equal revenue-raising measure,” he points out. In this sense, the governor of the Bank of Greece explains that in order to achieve this, the logic of broad granting of benefits should essentially be stopped, but “clear priorities should be set when taking possible new targeted support measures towards the most vulnerable income groups ».
At the same time, Mr. Stournara asks for the expansion of the tax base, through the fight against tax evasion, but also for the re-evaluation of the existing tax exemptions.
Greece has a long way to go to reach the Eurozone average
Indicative of Stournara’s concern about the continuation of the fiscal policy with the granting of subsidies is the warning that despite the continuous positive evaluations of the Greek economy and the fact that the fiscal balance has been restored, “there is no room for complacency”. The governor of the Bank of Greece emphasizes that Greece remains at a great distance from the average of the Eurozone countries, in terms of its credit rating. For this reason, the CoE calls for “prudent economic policies, characterized by consistency, medium-term rational planning and measurable objectives”.
Also acknowledging that Greece has been in a state of adjustment for more than 10 years, Mr. Stournaras refers to the risk of “reform fatigue” which is “the biggest challenge” for the Greek economy. Stournaras remarks on the fragile performance of the Greek economy, moreover, come at a time when the Greeks are in the second from last place among the countries of the European Union, as the second poorest, behind only Bulgaria, while wages in the country are 30% lower than the European average.
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#threat #farright #fragmented #movement #fight #clubs
The environment looks very different today than ten years ago. At the time it was dominated by the Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR), but it is a very small organization today, according to Mattsson.
– We see a much more fragmented and subcultural right-wing environment. Which makes it hard to predict, even for those in the environment, and thus it also becomes more risky, he says in Aktuellt.
The fragmentation has made the groupings smaller but more dangerous, which has made the situation similar to the one in the 90s, he believes.
– Regardless of what one thinks of NMR, that organization had an influence on the environment and could regulate the use of violence. We have a situation much more like the 90s now. Unpredictable groups that are loosely organized and more likely to carry out quick actions where violence is closer at hand.
New subcultures
A subculture that has emerged within the far-right environment are so-called fight clubs. A phenomenon that is relatively new in Sweden. It only started emerging in 2020 with inspiration from the US and the Active Club network.
– They have made a mix of ultra-masculinity, capacity for violence, racism and right-wing extremism to try to get out on the streets and act more, says Jonathan Lehman, researcher at Expo.
He says that it is mainly younger people who apply to fight clubs – a target group that the established organizations have had difficulty reaching.
Christer Mattsson also says that the far-right ideology has always had violence as an end and a means, so ideas about reclaiming the street and fighting street battles are not new.
– It is not strange that it arises in the subcultural environments, he says.
See more about fight clubs in the video above.
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This is what the threat from the far-right looks like – fragmented movement and fight clubs
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The microwave is widely used in homes around the world. because it allows food to be heated in just a matter of seconds or minutes. However, not all foods or materials are suitable for heating in the microwave, for example water.
Heating said liquid in the microwave might seem like a very normal thing, however it could cause a serious accident.
In order to understand the phenomenon, it is necessary to remember that water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Therefore, when water molecules are agitated they generate energy that is transformed into heat and the faster the movement, the higher its temperature.
When the liquid is heated directly on fire inside a pot, its temperature will go from bottom to top, due to heat transfer in convection, forming the characteristic bubbles that rise to the surface and break when the water reaches its boiling point. boiling, that is, at 100°.
In such a way that when a container with water is placed in the oven, the microwaves will quickly collide on the surface of the water, agitating the molecules that will generate enough energy to heat the liquid.
Why is it dangerous to heat water in the microwave?
Heating water in a microwave is different from doing it on a conventional stove, “where the liquid is heated from the bottom up, causing the fluid to move and evaporate little by little,” says the doctor in engineering. Patricio Sorichetti to The Nation.
“In the microwave, the boiling process occurs from the top down, so the fluid remains still and does not evaporate as quickly. This requires caution when removing the glass or mug from the microwave, since the sudden movement of the liquid and its abrupt evaporation can cause the container to burst,” adds the expert.
What are the items that are not recommended to be heated in the microwave?
– Aluminum or metal containers: For Sorichetti, both the trays and the aluminum foil that usually wrap frozen foods should not be placed in the microwave because they can cause sparks and electrical problems to the point of overheating the appliance and causing it to stop. to function. Specifically, this type of material is a conductor of electricity so it does not have the ability to absorb electromagnetic waves.
– Plastic: When this material is of poor quality or is not suitable for microwaves, it could end up melted or molten and contaminate the food. “You have to be careful that it does not deform because in this state the particles could pass into the food and it is dangerous,” says Kabbache.
– Wooden utensils: This product is sensitive to heat, therefore it could be highly flammable. However, Sorichetti clarifies that it depends on the thickness and type of wood that it is made of since “not all of them are the same nor do they have the same characteristics.”
– Ceramic or porcelain elements with enamel: These types of utensils are usually coated with enamels that, if exposed to heat, in addition to melting, could generate sparks. This will not only affect the format of the element but the microwave could break down.
– Paper bags: This type of packaging, widely used to freeze food in the freezer even to store supermarket purchases, usually does not resist high temperatures very well and consequently, melts or releases chemicals that are harmful to the body.
– Polystyrene objects: These elements are usually found in supermarkets: they are the trays that come, for example, with fish, meat or fruits and vegetables. A container of these characteristics is not prepared to withstand high temperatures; If exposed to the microwave, it will release chemical additives.
https://www.worldysnews.com/why-is-it-dangerous-to-heat-water-in-a-microwave/
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