Livanos: New local government code to enter public consultation soon

The draft law, comprising more than 1,000 articles across over 1,800 pages, is expected to be submitted to parliament within weeks. Livanos said the new Code will serve as the foundation of local government operations, consolidating nearly 1,000 existing legislative texts — some dating back more than 50 years — and resolving ambiguous or conflicting provisions.

Among its key innovations is the introduction of electronic voting for local elections, allowing registered voters living away from their home municipalities to vote digitally from their place of residence at specially designated polling stations.

Livanos also defended the proposal to elect municipal and regional authorities from the first round, arguing that voter turnout is higher and choices clearer on the first Sunday, while second-round elections traditionally suffer from significantly lower participation.

He further clarified that the law requiring municipalities to appeal court rulings on the permanent hiring of contract workers will remain in force, stressing that all public-sector recruitment must continue to take place through ASEP to ensure fairness and transparency.

During the event, academics presented proposals to improve local governance, including greater municipal autonomy in internal organization, reforms to campaign finance oversight, and alternative voting systems such as the single transferable vote to enhance representation.

Representatives of local authorities welcomed the effort to codify existing legislation but cautioned that the true impact of the new framework will ultimately depend on its implementation.