KKE condemns water cutoffs in Koyunköy (Kimmeria) amid heatwave
The İskeçe branch of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has condemned water supply cutoffs carried out by the Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of İskeçe (DEYAX) in Kimmeria over outstanding debts, describing the action as “anti-people” and accusing local authorities of attempting to create social division.
In a statement issued on August 15, the KKE organization in İskeçe criticized what it described as a “police-backed, exemplary operation” targeting households in Kimmeria during the recent heatwave.
KKE criticizes police presence during water cutoffs
The party accused DEYAX’s administration of publicizing the operation while families were left without access to water during the height of summer temperatures.
According to the KKE, the presence of multiple police units gave the operation an intimidating and exemplary character. The party cited DEYAX’s explanation that the interventions were being carried out under procedures concerning overdue debts and the principle of equal treatment for all consumers.
DEYAX has reportedly urged consumers with outstanding debts to contact the utility’s services to learn about available options for settling their obligations.
The KKE, however, rejected the justification based on “equal treatment of all consumers,” calling the argument an attempt to encourage social division.
Dispute over water pricing
The party also linked the water cutoffs to recent developments surrounding DEYAX tariffs, claiming that the temporary suspension of recent increases may have prompted the utility to seek alternative ways to recover lost revenue.
The KKE argued that the situation demonstrates what it describes as the consequences of treating water as a commodity and operating water utilities according to private-sector financial criteria.
It further criticized recent legislation by the Greek government led by New Democracy, claiming that such policies contribute to the commercialization and potential privatization of water services.
KKE calls for reconnection of households
The party called for all household water connections disconnected because of debt to be restored.
It also called for affordable, safe and high-quality water, state-funded infrastructure projects without public-private partnerships or concession agreements, and a water policy centered on water as a social good rather than a commercial product.
The KKE concluded its statement with a direct demand: “No working-class household without water.”
