Clean words

Article by Yannis Koronaios

Yes. Local government must be independent and this must be respected by all. But what happens when the chief mayor behaves like a local party leader?;

Yes. In local government the priority is to address local problems. In this struggle everyone must join forces. But what happens when locally implemented policies are not only ineffective (that's putting it mildly), but also in complete contradiction to the stated principles of the political party one professes to support?;

And not to speak in riddles: In Kythera, policies are being implemented that have led to the devastation of the province. Abandonment of critical infrastructure, degradation of public services, no help for small and medium-sized enterprises, no support for young people who want to stay and work on our island, no development vision. These policies emanate from the Mansion House and are implemented by all the institutions and individuals who are controlled by or politically in agreement with these practices.

So far so good. But it is surprising that the recent cake cutting of the combination that currently controls the Municipality of Kythera - Antikythera to involve local members of the opposition party, but also (few) persons with other progressive reference. The surprise is even greater when on the same day we all read the statement of the leader of the opposition party that excludes any kind of post-election cooperation with the New Democracy... The surprise becomes a wonder when we read that another member of the same party (the Mayor of Athens Harris Doukas) seems to be unconvinced by the assurances of Mr.Androulakis and asks that the upcoming PASOK congress decide on «progressive governance»...

I think everyone ought to speak clearly: Can someone cooperate locally with the party representative of the Southwest and at the national level exclude any cooperation with the Southwest? Is this serious?;

Can one declare that one is politically aligned with a plan for the recovery of the economy at the national level, denounce the politics of remoula, cronies, frappes and butchers, demand justice everywhere, demand that the ND government go and at the same time support the local representative of what he denounces at the national level?;

I think clear words are needed. These are dark times...