Zeybek questions exclusion of İskeçe from Greece’s demographic development programme

Hüseyin Zeybek, an independent Member of the Hellenic Parliament representing İskeçe (Xanthi), has submitted a parliamentary question to Greece’s Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs, demanding an explanation for the exclusion of İskeçe Regional Unit from the government’s Demographic Development Programme.

In his intervention, Zeybek argues that the exclusion is unjustified, particularly as municipalities or municipal districts across much of northern Greece are reportedly included in the programme. He has called on the government to extend the initiative to İskeçe and set out a comprehensive plan to address population decline and employment challenges in the region.

The parliamentary question, dated October 15, 2026, also raises concerns about the state of public services and infrastructure, which Zeybek says are essential to reversing the depopulation of rural areas.

ZEYBEK CALLS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Zeybek criticises the government led by New Democracy, arguing that rising living costs, pressure on small and medium-sized businesses, difficulties in the primary sector and insufficient support for livestock farming have contributed to the decline of rural communities.

He maintains that demographic recovery cannot be achieved through isolated measures alone. Instead, he argues, it requires sustained investment in essential public services, including hospitals, health centres, schools and childcare facilities, alongside improvements to local infrastructure and employment opportunities.

The MP also alleges that public services in the region have been weakened. As an example, he points to the intensive care unit at İskeçe Hospital, which he says has remained closed for five years. This claim was made in the parliamentary intervention and has not been independently verified for this report.

TWO QUESTIONS PUT TO THE GOVERNMENT

Zeybek has asked the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs to clarify two issues.

First, he wants to know whether the government intends to include İskeçe Regional Unit in the Demographic Development Programme, which he describes as a necessary step to address what he considers unequal treatment of local residents.

Second, he asks whether the government has a comprehensive strategy to strengthen population levels and employment across the regional unit through the improvement of public services, infrastructure and essential facilities.

DEMOGRAPHIC DECLINE IN NORTHERN GREECE

The parliamentary intervention places İskeçe’s exclusion at the centre of a broader debate over regional inequality, rural depopulation and access to public services in northern Greece.

Zeybek argues that any effective demographic policy must address not only population trends but also the economic and social conditions that influence whether residents can remain in their communities.

The ministry’s response, including its reasoning for the programme’s eligibility criteria and whether İskeçe could be included, was not provided in the source material.