Paphos People

Outrage over price hikes in north, higher taxes for booze and cigs

Supermarkets in the north were emptied of alcohol after news hit of a big price hike to be slapped on them through increased taxation.

Some shop owners pre-emptively took bottles off the shelves in order to replace them once the higher prices were announced.

The increases of up to 50 TL (approximately €3), announced as a “price stabilisation” measure, apply to gin, vodka, tequila, whiskey, beer and wines. According to Turkish Cypriot press, the increases are aimed at reducing an alarming and growing budget deficit.

Jenk Mutluyakali, in an article in Yeni Duzen, wrote that the expected financial aid from Turkey did not arrive for the third consecutive year. According to Mutluyakali, a 2021 agreement had been signed for aid and loans amounting to 3.25 billion TL but only 1.83 billion TL, about one third, was paid. Mutlouyakali says the same happened in 2020 and 2019.

In addition to price increases in fuel, electricity, as well as alcohol, Turkish Cypriot newspapers reported that from Thursday there will be a tax increase on cigarettes.

“It is demoralising that the ‘government’ resorts repeatedly to price increases in order to cover its expenses,” the ‘Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Shopkeepers and Artisans’ said in a statement, adding, “Everyone knows that there is no money left in the budget, the ‘state’ is mired in debt, and increases in electricity, as well as daily products, are made because the ‘government’ can’t make ends meet.”

The ‘government’ in the north downplayed the price hike on alcohol, saying that in the north “beer is cheaper than milk” and that beer prices in the south, and also in Turkey, are sevenfold or more. However, opposition leader Tufan Erhiurman said the ‘government’ was clueless about “the extent of accumulated anger among the people.”

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Is a symptom of modern society. The amount of absolutely unnecessary expense by govt is sickening and people now haver to take control of the finances themselves. The amount of fat and long term social burden on society is enormous and been untenable for many years.

But successive governments have slowly but surely created an environment where individuals are dependent upon the state for incomes, and being afraid for that income the govt can really do what it wants.

Time for rebellion.

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Straight talking, no Gimmicks.

Live your dreams.