The political faction is sparking a new round of heated confrontation in the Municipality of Kythira «Free Kythira», scrutinizing the municipal government’s handling of the project «Water Supply Infrastructure Interconnection Networks of the Municipality of Kythira – Phase A.’.
In an official statement, the political faction is requesting access to the full project study in order to conduct a financial and technical review, raising serious questions about:
- The budget of €1,500,000.00, arguing that the cost per kilometer deviates significantly from the national average.
- Procurement Procedures, challenging the legitimacy of invoking «emergency» status due to the 2025 fire.
- True competition, alleging that the same three companies were invited to bid with minimal discounts of 1%, 2%, and 3%.
- The stance of the main opposition party, making pointed remarks about her abstention from the relevant vote.
Below is the statement from the «Free Kythira» political group, as well as the official request that was submitted:
«Our coalition, in accordance with our institutional obligation to exercise effective oversight of the municipal government, has submitted a formal request for a digital copy of the project study «Water Supply Infrastructure Interconnection Networks of the Municipality of Kythira – Phase A,’ in order to request a financial and technical audit, as the initial budget of 1,500,00.00 euros deviates significantly from the national average (in cost per kilometer) for comparable projects—a situation not uncommon in public works tenders in the Islands Region).
Our party had already expressed serious reservations as early as May 2026 regarding the procedure followed for awarding the study contract. Specifically, we raised questions regarding whether the legal requirements for invoking urgency and direct award had been met, as well as whether this particular procedure was, in fact, the appropriate one.
Despite our objections, we never received a response from the municipal authorities, who instead proceeded to approve the process, with the main opposition party choosing to abstain (though, on another matter at the last City Council meeting, they showed keen interest in the missing studies).
At the same time, it is cause for concern that the three companies invited to participate are the very same ones that, over the course of several municipal terms, have undertaken the overwhelming majority of public works projects in Kythira. Furthermore, the discounts offered—in the range of 1%, 2%, and 3%—raise legitimate questions regarding the existence or absence of genuine competition and the best use of taxpayers’ money.
The pursuit of truth and the safeguarding of legitimacy are not opposition tactics. They are the institutional duty of every elected official who respects citizens and the public interest—and first and foremost, of the ruling party.
For this reason, we have requested a comprehensive study of the project. The people of Kythira are entitled to full transparency and procedures that leave no room for doubt.
»Transparency is either absolute or it does not exist. It does not depend on the whims of the administration in power.".
