Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Regional Council voices proposals and concerns over new local government code

Proposals, suggested improvements, and significant reservations regarding Greece’s new Local Government Code were expressed during an extraordinary session of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) Regional Council held on Monday, January 12.

The draft code, introduced by the Ministry of Interior, aims to unify and modernize the fragmented legal framework governing local authorities. It also proposes substantial changes to the electoral system, administrative structure, oversight mechanisms, and decision-making processes for both first- and second-tier local governments (municipalities and regions).

All proposals and remarks raised by regional council members are expected to be formally submitted to Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios during an upcoming meeting of the Union of Greek Regions (ENPE).

Call to Strengthen Second-Tier Local Government

In his opening remarks, Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis stressed that codifying and modernizing local government legislation has long been a pressing demand. He highlighted that regions (second-tier local authorities) have historically lacked a distinct legal framework, often relying on provisions designed for municipalities.

Topsidis noted that the new code formally recognizes regions as autonomous institutions with clearly defined competencies, eliminating the need to rely on outdated legislation, including old laws, royal decrees, and presidential decrees that no longer reflect modern administrative realities. However, he underlined that financial resources must be directly linked to transferred responsibilities, adding that regional authorities will actively participate in the public consultation process.

Key Changes Introduced by the Draft Code

According to the Ministry of Interior’s proposal, the new code introduces several structural and institutional innovations, including:

• Optional electronic voting for eligible voters
• Local and regional elections to be held on the last Sunday of November in the fifth year of each term
• Election of executives from the first round with a minimum of 42% + one vote, followed by a second-stage vote allocation
• Redefinition of powers for elected and advisory bodies
• Codification of procedures governing council meetings and operations
• Mandatory accountability sessions every four months
• Establishment of advisory committees and a Scientific Committee for Risk and Crisis Management

The code also promotes intergovernmental cooperation, contracts between municipalities and regions, international partnerships, and city twinning initiatives. Financial transparency will be enhanced through a centralized Local Government Financial Interoperability Platform, while a new Financial Autonomy Observatory will monitor local budgets and fiscal sustainability.

Political Reactions and Criticism

Former Regional Governor and leader of the opposition group “New Regional Renaissance”, Christos Metios, described the code as a step in the right direction but criticized the lack of clear financial guarantees. He expressed disappointment over the absence of explicit provisions regarding state grants and alternative funding sources. Metios also raised concerns about the proposed electoral system, warning that the second-stage vote allocation could undermine democratic equality.

Stergios Iliopoulos, head of the “Independent United Initiative”, argued that the draft code promotes a leader-centric governance model, marginalizing proportional representation. He also voiced strong reservations about electronic voting, citing democratic and institutional risks, and emphasized the absence of binding commitments on staffing and funding despite increased responsibilities for regional authorities.

Representing “Popular Rally”, Dionysis Kladis categorically rejected the draft code, describing it as a continuation of policies that transform local authorities into quasi-corporate entities. He warned that the code would intensify commercialization of public services, perpetuate underfunding, restrict the role of elected councils, and expand state oversight and control mechanisms.