Government proposes creation of two regional units in Evros

The Greek government is proposing the abolition of the current Regional Unit of Evros and the creation of two separate administrative regions, Northern and Southern Evros, according to a draft law soon to be presented for public consultation by the Ministry of Interior.

Proposal to Restructure Evros Region
According to exclusive reporting by Radio Evros, the multi-page draft legislation outlines changes to local government structure and electoral procedures. Article 4 of the draft, titled “Establishment and Composition of Local Government” (based on Law 3463/2006 and Laws 3852/2010), includes the following provisions:

“The following Regional Units are established:

a. Regional Unit of Northern Evros, part of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, consisting of the municipalities of Didymoteicho, Orestiada, and Soufli.

b. Regional Unit of Southern Evros, also part of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, consisting of the municipalities of Alexandroupoli and Samothraki.

The existing Regional Unit of Evros is abolished.”

Local Reactions and Advocacy
The Initiative for the Creation of Northern Evros Regional Unit, which has long advocated for this administrative split, welcomed the development:

“This is a very significant development. The fairness of the demand is finally being recognized, and we are closer than ever to achieving our goal. The fight continues!”

Speaking to ERT Orestiada, Anna Memetzi, a coordinating member of the Initiative, emphasized that while opposition to the division existed in the past, the arguments against it have not held up in light of clear geographical and socio-economic differences between Northern Evros and Alexandroupoli.

“This change overturns a 100-year-old structure,” said Memetzi. “Despite the repeated efforts over decades, political resistance—particularly from within the local leadership—has delayed progress.”

She clarified that this administrative restructuring is not necessarily linked to electoral boundary changes, noting that the current draft law does not include provisions for altering the Evros electoral district. If such a connection is eventually made, it will require separate legislation.

Divided Opinions Among Municipalities
The issue was previously debated in 2024 in local municipal councils. The Municipal Council of Orestiada voted in favor of the split, with 21 votes for and 6 against, endorsing the Initiative’s petition. In contrast, the Municipal Council of Didymoteicho voted against the proposal, with 15 opposing and only 6 supporting the idea of a separate Northern Evros unit.

Historically, when the initiative first gained traction in 2021, then and current mayors of Orestiada, Didymoteicho, and Soufli—Vasilis Mavridis, Romylos Chatzigiannoglou, and Panagiotis Kalakikos—had jointly described the move as “untimely and misguided.”

The draft law marks a significant step forward for supporters of regional reorganization and opens the door for further public consultation and political debate.