The intense online debate is taking on new, unpredictable dimensions A confrontation between the mayor of Kythira, Efstratios Charchalakis, and journalist Yannis Koronaios. The mayor's statement («I brought the Leader to Kythira») prompted an immediate and forceful response from Panagiotis (Takis) Hatziperos, former Deputy Regional Governor of the Attica Islands and Honorary President of the Cooperation Network of Municipalities of the Attica Islands Regional Unit (i.e., the body that manages the local LEADER program).
In an exclusive message to the Kythera.News, Mr. Hatziperos categorically refutes the claims made by the mayor of Kythira regarding “ownership” of the European program on the island, while also revealing details about Mr. Charhalakis’s conduct during the period in question, directly accusing him of taking credit for others’ work.
«LEADER was my initiative—Charchalakis had objections»
Responding to Mr. Charchalakis’s claim that he was the one who brought the subsidy program to local business owners, the former Deputy Regional Governor seeks to set the record straight, recalling his institutional role as well as the difficulties he faced from the elected officials themselves.
As Mr. Hatziperos notes in his message:
«We secured the LEADER program as the Regional Unit of the Islands, on my own initiative (which is why I am also the honorary President), despite objections from several mayors, including those of Kythira and Antikythira.».
This statement contradicts the narrative put forward by the Mayor of Kythira, revealing that not only was joining the program not his own initiative, but he was initially opposed to it, before the Regional Unit of the Islands ultimately moved forward with its implementation, which has benefited dozens of local businesses.
Criticism has also been directed at the program with the Athens Observatory
The former Deputy Regional Governor’s intervention, however, does not stop at LEADER. Mr. Hatziperos opens yet another front, accusing Mr. Charhalakis of similar “appropriation” tactics in yet another program of critical importance to the island, the collaboration with the National Observatory of Athens to address the climate crisis.
According to Mr. Hatziperos’s complaint to Kythera.News:
«Something similar happened with the climate crisis collaboration program with the Athens Observatory, which it initially rejected and is now taking credit for.».
The dynamics of the conflict are changing
This significant intervention by an individual who held a key position in local government (as Deputy Regional Governor for the Islands from 2014 to 2019) and who continues to play an institutional role (as Honorary President of the Islands Network), is once again shaking up the local political scene. The debate has now moved beyond the confines of a simple online exchange between a mayor and a journalist, and raises serious questions about how development projects and European funds are promoted and presented to the citizens of Kythira.
The ball is now in the Municipal Authority’s court, and it is called upon to respond to the direct accusations and revelations made by the former Deputy Regional Governor.
