Spanakis from Çirmen: “There is no question of administrative division of Meriç”

In one of Greece’s most remote border regions, Çirmen in Meriç, Deputy Interior Minister Vassilis Spanakis sent a clear message of support to local government.

According to methorios.gr, his meeting with the presidents of the local communities of the Municipality of Orestiada, as well as with local residents, turned into an open dialogue about everyday problems and the future of the prefecture’s administrative organization. Spanakis put an end to speculation about a possible split, clarifying: “There is no question of administrative division of Meirç.”

The Deputy Minister’s visit to Meriç took place within the framework of a wider government delegation’s presence in the region, ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). During the open meeting in Çirmen, attended by the 29 community leaders of the Municipality of Kumçiftliği, Mayor Diamantis Papadopoulos, deputy mayors, and local stakeholders, a series of requests were submitted.

The main concern expressed by community presidents was the strengthening of their institutional role. They argued that at present they have virtually no tools for intervention. The lack of a management budget and the limited use of the fixed advance (1,000 euros) leave them unable to address even small daily issues. A typical example was a kiosk in Çirmen: because it was not repaired in time at a low cost, it now requires much higher expenses.

Other issues raised included:

• Understaffing of the Municipality of Kumçiftliği.
• Dysfunction in schools after the abolition of school boards.
• Expected obstacles due to the merging of municipal water companies (DEYA).
• Strategic matters such as the railway, demographic challenges, and water management.

Although local representatives expected more specific commitments, the only concrete promise made by the Deputy Minister was to push for a special session in Çirmen as part of the KEDE (Central Union of Municipalities of Greece) conference in Dedeağaç in November.

Despite the relevance of the topic, the discussion on administrative reorganization of Meriç never formally opened during the meeting. Spanakis remained firm in his position that no such plan exists, though he left open the possibility of re-examining the issue of the Eparchy under a different framework. The absence of comments from the Mayor of Kumçiftliği was notable, especially since the Municipal Council has previously supported the establishment of a Regional Unit of Northern Meirç.

The presence of institutional representatives – lawyers, merchants, educators – highlighted the importance the local community places on the issue. Expectations now focus on clearer and more binding statements from the government to finally settle the administrative future of the region.

In his tour of the area and in an interview with Delta TV, Deputy Minister Spanakis closed the door on any potential division of Meriç, stressing there is no plan for administrative change. However, he also brought the question of the Eparchy back to the table, leaving room for renewed discussion in another context.