Giorgos Avtias calls for permanent EU energy crisis shield

European Parliament member Giorgos Avtias of New Democracy has called on the European Commission to establish a permanent mechanism to protect consumers and small businesses from energy crises and extreme electricity price hikes.

Speaking as a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Avtias argued that such a safety net should be triggered automatically when prices exceed predetermined levels. He emphasized that Europe should not have to seek emergency solutions from scratch every time a new crisis arises, citing geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East as drivers of current instability. He also inquired whether the Commission intends to implement additional measures by 2027 to reduce electricity costs.