5th OLYMPIA FORUM - Interior Min: The new Local Gov't Code will build trust among cities, regions, and central state

Discussion will begin in the coming days for the new Local Government Code, Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios revealed during his address on Friday at the 5th Olympia Forum on local government, being held in Ancient Olympia on October 18-20.
Livanios said that participating in the discussion will be the Interior Ministry, the Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE), and the Union of Regions of Greece (ENPE). The issues they include the operation of local government, its administration, economic management, and mainly the clarification of responsibilities.
Focusing on the latter, the minister said that "we have often gotten mixed up all together, especially mayors and regional governors, as to what each one's responsibilities are: from who cleans drains on the streets to who cleans the streams, and about whether it is the mayor's fault if the stream crosses through the city or it's the region's fault when it runs around the city, or whether it's the forestry service that is responsible if the stream traverses a forest."
The new Code will try to update the legislation relating to local government operation, as a great part of this is out of date, Livanios said. He cited as examples the financial management of municipalities (based on the Royal Decree of 1958), the municipal fees (based on a 1975 law), and the operation of town water and sewage companies (observing the legal framework of 1980).
"The new Code will result in a great cycle of trust among municipalities, regions, and central state," the minister said. He also underlined the need to "work together, and whether we agree on something or disagree on other points, the final aim should be what has to be done to facilitate citizens of this country, particularly those of the regions."
* Photographs from the Forum can be found at:
https://www.amna.gr/pr-photo