A serious institutional issue has arisen in the Municipality of Kythira following the publication of a letter from the municipal faction «All Together, Kythira–Antikythira» to Mayor Efstratios Charhalakis, which directly raises the issue of incompatibility in the exercise of the duties of Deputy Mayor and calls for immediate political responsibility to be taken.
According to the letter, there is a court ruling by the Court of First Instance, issued following a lawsuit filed by the Municipality itself, ordering the eviction from the municipal property «Old Museum» in Chora, Kythira, due to the expiration of the lease and illegal occupation. Despite the expiration of the lease, the existence of a legally appointed new highest bidder since February 2024, and the clear court ruling, the property has not yet been returned to either the Municipality or the legal owner, remaining unused.
Of particular significance is the fact that the person against whom the court ruling was issued is Mr. Georgios Kominos, the current Deputy Mayor of Kythira and Deputy Mayor. The party points out that the simultaneous status of the elected administrative body and the person concerned by the unexecuted court decision constitutes an objective and institutionally unacceptable incompatibility, which cannot be remedied by declarations of abstention or formal procedures.
The letter also holds the mayor, as head of the administration, responsible for failing to enforce the court ruling and keeping the deputy mayor in the administration, even in the position of deputy mayor. As emphasized, this situation undermines good governance, damages municipal property, and undermines citizens' trust in local government institutions.
The «All Together, Kythira-Antikythira» faction calls on the Mayor to take immediate action to restore legality, requesting either the resignation or removal of the Deputy Mayor from his duties. Finally, it should be clarified that the letter does not constitute a criminal complaint, but rather an institutional act of political accountability and a request to take responsibility, with a request for written notification to the Municipal Council.
Kythira, Monday, January 5, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Institutional deviation in the administration of the Municipality of Kythira & Immediate assumption of responsibility requested
The municipal faction «All Together, Kythira – Antikythira» is today publishing an institutional letter addressed to the Mayor of Kythira concerning an issue of major importance for the legality, sound administration, and management of municipal property.
The letter documents that there is a court decision of the Court of First Instance, issued following a lawsuit filed by the Municipality itself, ordering the eviction from the municipal property «Old Museum» in Chora, Kythira, due to the expiration of the lease and illegal occupation. Despite the expiration of the lease, the existence of a legally appointed new highest bidder since February 2024, and the explicit court ruling, the property has not yet been returned to the Municipality or handed over to the legal owner.
Particular importance is attached to the fact that the person against whom the Municipality brought legal proceedings and against whom the expulsion decision was issued is the current Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. His continued presence in the administration, while a court decision concerning him personally is pending and not being enforced, causing ongoing damage to municipal property, constitutes an obvious and objective institutional incompatibility.
The letter points out that this situation is not politically, morally, or legally acceptable, and that responsibility is not limited to the Deputy Mayor. This also directly affects the Mayor, who, as head of the Administration, is responsible for ensuring legality, the enforcement of court decisions, and the protection of municipal property. Keeping the Deputy Mayor in the administration, and indeed in the position of Deputy Mayor, constitutes tolerance that collectively exposes the Municipal Authority and undermines the trust of citizens.
The «All Together, Kythira – Antikythira» faction calls on the Mayor to immediately assume his institutional and political responsibilities and to take the necessary steps without delay to restore legality and institutional order. The resignation or removal of the Deputy Mayor from the administration is the only institutionally correct and politically responsible choice.
The publication of the letter does not constitute a criminal complaint nor does it replace the powers of the judiciary. It is an institutional act of accountability and information for citizens on a matter of public interest concerning the operation of the Municipality of Kythira.
The image is used in the context of institutional information for citizens on a matter of public interest concerning the operation of the Municipality of Kythira..
Kythira, Monday, January 5, 2026
Ref. No.: 03/05-01-2026
To: The Mayor of Kythira, Mr. Efstratios Charhalakis,
Re: President of the Municipal Council Members of the Municipal Council Members of the Municipal Committee
Subject: Institutional incompatibility of exercising the duties of Deputy Mayor and request to assume political responsibility.
Mr. Mayor,
With this letter, I would like to bring to your attention an issue that does not concern political confrontation, but directly affects the institutional functioning of the Municipality, good governance, the obligation to enforce court decisions, and the protection of municipal property.
As evidenced by official decisions of the collective bodies of the Municipality and by legal actions initiated by the Municipality itself, there is a court decision of the Court of First Instance, issued following a lawsuit filed by the Municipality, ordering the eviction from municipal property, namely the property known as the «Old Museum» in Chora, Kythira, due to the expiration of the lease and illegal occupation of the property.
Despite the expiration of the lease, despite the existence of a legally appointed new highest bidder since February 2024, and despite the existence of a court order mandating eviction, the above municipal property has not yet been returned to the Municipality or handed over to the legal owner. The failure to enforce the court ruling and the prolonged deprivation of the use and exploitation of the property constitute objective and continuously worsening damage to the interests of the Municipality.
It is particularly serious that the person against whom the Municipality took legal action and against whom the above court decision was issued is Mr. Georgios Kominos of Konstantinos, acting Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Kythira and Deputy Mayor, performing administrative and municipal property management duties as required.
The simultaneous status of the elected administrative body and the person who remains on municipal property despite the expiry of the lease and despite the existence of a court order for eviction creates an obvious, objective, and institutionally unacceptable incompatibility.
This incompatibility cannot be remedied by declarations of abstention from meetings or by formal procedures, as it concerns the core of impartiality, credibility, and legitimacy of municipal administration.
Furthermore, the retention of Mr. Georgios Kominos of Konstantinos in the municipal administration, while a court decision concerning him personally and damaging municipal property is pending and not being enforced, constitutes a direct and personal political and institutional responsibility of the Mayor. It is not politically, morally, or legally acceptable for the Mayor to retain in the administration, and indeed in the position of Deputy Mayor, a person with whom the Municipality is in active legal dispute and against whom a decision has been issued for eviction from municipal property.
Tolerating this situation collectively exposes the municipal authority, undermines the principle of good governance, damages public confidence, and raises serious issues of institutional and administrative responsibility.
In light of the above, I urge you to immediately assume your responsibilities as Mayor and head of the Municipality of Kythira and to take the necessary steps without delay to restore legality and institutional order. The resignation of Mr. Georgios Kominos of Konstantinos from his duties or his immediate removal from the administration is the only institutionally correct and politically responsible choice.
This letter does not constitute a criminal complaint nor does it replace the powers of the judiciary. It is purely an institutional act and a request for political accountability, within the framework of the obligations arising from the functioning of local government and the role of the Mayor as guarantor of legality.
Please take immediate action and inform the Municipal Council in writing.
With respect,
Zacharias I. Souris
Head of Municipal Party
«All Together, Kythira-Antikythira»
