Parliamentary Committee gives green light to new local government code
A parliamentary committee in Greece has approved in principle the government's proposed Local Government Code, clearing the way for the legislation to proceed to a plenary vote in the Hellenic Parliament next week.
The bill, submitted by the Ministry of Interior, seeks to establish a unified legal framework governing municipalities and regional administrations across the country. The legislation consolidates and modernizes nearly 2,000 previously scattered provisions affecting local government operations.
The proposal was backed by the governing New Democracy party in committee, while several opposition parties reserved their positions for the plenary debate and others voted against the measure.
Among the most debated provisions are changes to local election procedures, including the introduction of a single-round electoral system intended to encourage pre-election cooperation and increase voter participation. The bill also includes measures aimed at strengthening transparency, citizen participation and the digitalization of local administration.
If approved by Parliament, the new code would represent one of the most comprehensive reforms of Greece's local government framework in recent years.
