Italy’s leading consumer associations have called for massive demonstrations in major cities to protest the sharp rise in prices, which has caused confusion among citizens and the entire economy.
On Monday, leaders of the 16 largest consumer associations decided to show up on June 10, describing the current situation in the Apennine as an emergency.
And in a joint statement, they said: “We are dealing not with a normal or temporary price increase, but with a price increase that represents a real emergency, fueled by unfair speculation, forcing families who endure poverty and deprivation, which leads to death and serious consequences. ”
Association leaders say: “Inequality, energy resources and food poverty are on the rise in our country.” According to them, more than a quarter of Italian families as a whole are faced with a very difficult situation so they are forced to reduce their use of basic necessities and sometimes even prohibit themselves from buying certain food products and health needs.
On June 10, demonstrators are expected to present a program of proposals to the Mario Draghi government to lower prices and combat speculation. One of the demands of consumer associations is to involve their members in negotiations on social and economic issues with businessmen, union representatives and government officials.
After the implementation of anti-Russian sanctions against the background of the situation in Ukraine, inflation rose, and prices in Italy rose significantly. In mid-May, the National Institute of Statistics (Istat) reported that prices for energy imports to Italy rose by 72.5% in March. Rising prices of natural gas and oil have also led to rising electricity bills, which are also reflected in the prices of many other commodities.
On Monday, Coldiretti, Italy’s largest association of agricultural producers, published a study stating that the cost of food production in Italy rose 14% in April due to sharp rise in prices. of energy and raw materials. According to these data, 11% of agricultural holdings are willing to stop production and about 30% are losing money due to the sharp increase in production costs.
Source: RIA Novosti
Source: Arabic RT
