With a scathing statement full of irony and evidence, the faction responds directly to the Mayor of Kythera, Efstratios Harhalakis, who had solemnly announced the inclusion of the school in the “Marietta Giannakou” program through his Facebook post on May 30.
What is the Marietta Giannakou Programme?;
The programme is donation by the four systemic banks, under the coordination of the Hellenic Union of Banks, to the Greek State and concerns the renovation of 426 school units in 245 municipalities of the territory. The works will be implemented by the state-owned company «Building Infrastructures S.A.» and the total amount of the donation will reach 100 million euros.
What does the Mayor say and what is being questioned?;
Mr. Harchalakis publicly stated that the inclusion of the Dilaverio Primary School of Potamos in the programme came about “at our request, which we supported technically with mature studies and approvals”.
However, the faction “Free Kythera” answers that this presentation of the facts constitutes misinformation, as well as:
- The integration of schools was not at the request of municipalities, but based on internal choices of the government and the Hellenic Bankers Association.
- All municipalities are included equally - in the Region of Attica, for example, 102 school units were selected in 66 municipalities, i.e. an average of 1-2 schools per municipality.
- The fact that Kythera was included does not mean a “victory” for the municipal authority, but is part of the overall balanced distribution.
«We will not abuse the obvious»
In its announcement, the faction “Free Kythera” points out:
«When a project is done for our children, we all rejoice together - no lies, no egos, no municipal cavils. Neither parents nor teachers need “fairy tales” to appreciate school upgrades.».
In a scathing tone, they even suggest to the Mayor, if he wants to write such narratives, «to do it in the ‘fiction’ category».
Crucial question: Who is telling the truth?;
Public discourse and political communication must be based on the honesty and respect for citizens, especially when it comes to projects of a social nature and responsibility.
The Mayor's post attempts to give «mayoral» color to a clearly a national programme organised by the state and institutions, in which all schools and municipalities participate without discrimination.
The case illustrates a wider problem: the instrumentalisation of public works and the creation of impressions through selective information. While the improvement of the Dilaverio Primary School is undoubtedly a positive development, respect for the truth is even more important. Who forgets the €24.000.000 of Dourou's projects, in contrast to the meagre 3.000.000 of the blue former regional governor Patoulis? When did the Municipal Authority imitate the Regional Governor, from 2019 onwards?;
As aptly noted in the party's text:
«The truth is not painted with ribbons or envelopes full of promises from... 2014».
The following is the bulletin of Free Kythera:
When lies don't even fit in a recycle bin...
Dear fellow citizens,
The Mayor of Kythera, now known as a master of misinformation, seems to have confused the buttons again: he was told one thing, he understood another, and he tells us another. Fortunately, we still have access to reality - both on the Internet and in the Diavitia.
To set the record straight with a smile, but also with facts:
📌 The “Marietta Giannakou” programme is not a municipal achievement, it is neither the product of “our own actions” (as the well-known tape says), nor did it fall from the sky with the seal of the Town Hall.
➡️ It is financed by the Hellenic Bankers Association, which, in cooperation with the Government, undertook the repair of 426 schools in all regions of the country.
➡️ Each school was selected according to geographical and social criteria - and at least one school per municipality made the list.
🎉 For Kythera, the Dilaverio Primary School of Potamos was chosen. Neither by chance, nor «with the sword of no one».
That is, if one calculates correctly, in the Region of Attica, 102 buildings in 66 municipalities will be repaired. So we did not get anything more. But Mr. Mayor, do you think your voters don't know math or read in general? Unfortunately, the truth is not painted with ribbons or envelopes full of promises from... 2014.
📢 In our party we have a principle: when a project is done for our children, we all enjoy it together - no lies, no egos, no municipal cavils.
Neither we, nor parents, nor teachers, nor students need «fairy tales» to appreciate the obvious: that improving our schools is everyone's responsibility and everyone's right.
📝 P.S. If the Mayor wants to write more fairy tales, we suggest he does it in the «fiction» category. For the reality, we will take care of it.
Yours sincerely (and a little irony, because otherwise it can't be borne),
The Municipal Party “Free Kythera”.
