'Socialists want to raise electricity costs by up to 12.5%'

SPAIN (Press release) The Socialist government has proposed raising electricity bills by 12.5% on the part that it fixes prices for most homes, and by 9% for the rest of consumers. "Zapatero's anti-social measures are taking it out on families, who, while becoming increasingly empoverished, see their bills for VAT, electricity and other things rise beyond their possibilities," says the Partido Popular (PP). The cost of electricity has already risen by 60% since the PSOE is in power, whereas the PP lowered that cost by 15% in its time in government. Meanwhile the government is manouvering to avoid announcing that rise until after the local elections on May 22.