As the last wheel on the wagon, the mayors emphatically point out that local government is being treated as such, making it clear that there is no further room for such maneuvers by the state.

Following their meeting today, they are calling for state subsidies not to be a fixed amount, but to be adjusted in line with the cost of living and inflationary pressures of recent years.

“And the response is that we understand this; we know it needs to be tied to an economic index, but whatever you’ve lost—you’ve lost it; we’re starting from here. And most importantly, for what you lose, the proposal is to raise your taxes, and that’s something the public needs to know.”
_{^{Andreas Vyras – President of the Union of Municipalities}}

Andreas Vyras pointed out that this is a proposal from the government, suggesting that municipalities should raise their taxes in order to remain operational.

READ ALSO: “We Are Forced to Raise Taxes”: Municipalities at Their Limit Regarding State Subsidies, Warn of Protests

Meanwhile, regarding waste management at the Integrated Waste Management Facilities in Pentakomo and Kossia, he explains that we are heading toward an increase in management costs to 160 million.

“Due to the government’s inaction over so many years, the measures that have not been taken for so long, but also given the prevailing mindset that we should find a way to essentially shift the cost to the municipalities and, by extension, to the citizens, there is a risk that citizens won’t be surprised to see their garbage collection fees increase by 150–200 euros. We do not know if the central government will cover these costs, and there is currently a silence on the matter.”
_{^{Andreas Vyras – President of the Union of Municipalities}}

At the same time, the municipalities are speaking out against what they describe as coercive tactics by the Ministry of the Interior and are warning that if nothing changes, on August 3 they will proceed with a 3-hour work stoppage. Konstantinos Ioannou has been in contact with them, expressing that he views many of their demands positively, and they are now awaiting the government’s official position in writing.

Watch the report by Kleio Vourkou: