Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says his government will show zero tolerance to anyone trying to take advantage of the energy crisis for profit.

Speaking at New Democracy party’s second pre-congress assembly, held in the city of Heraklion, Crete, on Saturday, Mitsotakis addressed party officials and supporters, telling them the government is working to establish further support measures for the ongoing energy crisis. 

Mitsotakis said his government had responded to price hikes generated by the crisis by establishing support measures as early as September 2021.

“I would be the first one to tell you that even if the state went as far as to cover half the costs of inflated electricity bills, these would still be considered expensive,” Mitsotakis explained.

He said the price of electricity depends on the price of gas, which has doubled, and claimed the rising energy costs are having a direct impact on the cost of general goods.

The prime minister then issued a warning to anyone trying to profit from the situation. 

“We will show zero tolerance to anyone who tries to take advantage of the crisis for profit,” he said.

Mitsotakis said the government has allocated 4 billion euros ($4.3 billion) to tackle price hikes.