Androulakis: Mitsotakis is making decisions in the absence of local authorities

The president of main opposition PASOK-KINAL, Nikos Androulakis, had a meeting with representatives of local government at his offices in Parliament on Tuesday to discuss issues relating to the management of waste, as well as the problems faced by municipal water supply and sewage companies.

"The way that solid waste management bodies are established creates very major issues. Unfortunately, our country is still very much behind in matters of solid waste management compared with other European countries," Androulakis said, noting the lack of dialogue between central and local government that left many issues unclear, including pricing policies, asset management issues and the fate of personnel.

"On this matter also, the government is displaying very great arrogance. Instead of discussing and formulating with you, who are experience the problem and are the recipients of the irregularities, the government of [Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis] is once again making decisions and announcing them in the absence of local authorities," he said. 

Regarding the mergers of municipal water supply and sewage companies, he accused the government of "once again choosing the path of blackmail over dialogue" and said that PASOK-KINAL had a different approach, which prioritised energy issues and water management.

"Very great European opportunities are going past and the country, due to a lack of planning and strategy, is missing them," he added.

According to the head of the Municipal Water and Sewage Companies Union, Rethymno Mayor Giorgos Marinakis, new legislation unveiled by the government for public consultation "creates horrific issues without solving any of the existing problems" and he called for major improvements, while the president of the Network of Solid Waste Management Organisations stressed that Greece was still lagging far behind in targets for recycling and the proportion of waste going to landfills.

AMNA