In a press release issued by Mr. Charhalakis« coalition, he refers to the »All Together" party's program and launches a direct attack with harsh criticism. Read more below.

Empty words, uncosted proposals, theories, and substance ZERO: this is the program of Mr. Souris's «ALL TOGETHER» faction!

If there is one thing that characterizes Mr. Souris's party program, it is the panic and the anxiety to convince voters that he has a program in place 30 days before the elections, but better late than never!

Through endless theories and unrestrained promises, Mr. Souris tells us – no more, no less – that in five years' time, if he becomes mayor, Kythira will be something like Monaco! The question that arises is not whether all these promising projects are useful or not for the island, because who would doubt that? But whether they can actually be done, especially within the time frame of a municipal term. 

Furthermore, more than half of Mr. Souris' program is nothing more than repeat projects, actions, and commitments that our municipal authority is ALREADY implementing or has demonstrably plannedSpecifically, Mr. Souris promises the following:

1. Establishment and staffing of the Office of Rural Development: It already exists, and the person in charge is Ms. Anna Bourna. 
2. Recruitment of an Agronomist and Veterinarian: The relevant specialties fall under the jurisdiction of the Region, which, through the competent Directorate of Agricultural Economy (DAOK), assists our island as much as possible. Is it true that Mr. Souris has an opinion on the renovation of the Veterinary Clinic, which his candidate, Mr. N. Magoulas, denounced as illegal, publicly (at a board meeting) characterizing the Mayor and the Municipal Authority as «common trespassers»? On the one hand, they say they will hire a veterinarian, and on the other, they denounce the renovation of the Veterinary Clinic. This is a complete inconsistency. 
3. Municipal SlaughterhouseOur municipal authority has completed and fully approved the studies and is awaiting funding for the project in the amount of €3,000,000. Let us remember that: the old studies that existed for the Slaughterhouse were deemed inapplicable due to a change in the relevant Presidential Decree, we proceeded to search for a suitable site, a site was found in Fratsi that was granted by the EEPKA, a Preliminary Study Fee Estimate was drawn up, funding for the studies was sought, we included them in the Attica Regional Operational Program (maturation actions through the Attica Islands Network), we completed them, and it took one year to obtain the final permits. These are the maturation processes for large projects, whether some people like it or not. 
4. Green Energy: This is already happening through the establishment of the Energy Community, which is gradually becoming operational, through the school energy upgrade project (PEP Attica), electric bicycles (ESPA), charging points, etc. All of these have been put out to tender and are in the process of being signed.
5. Certification and promotion of local products: It's already happening! In collaboration with KIPA and the Cooperatives, and with generous funding from the LEADER program, olive oil is being certified for the first time, with other products to follow. 
6. Deputy Mayor for Tourism: He already exists, it's George Kominos (Zorbas)!
7. Alternative Tourism: This is already happening through various promotional activities and our collaboration with KIPA and other organizations (e.g., trails). The result is a significant increase in visitors to our island this year during the off-season (official data), at a time when well-known tourist destinations have suffered a decline.
8. Local Urban Plan: It has already been put out to tender by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) (tender field B4) and the contract with the contractor consortium is expected to be signed. Thanks to our successful intervention, the TPS of Kythira/Antikythira was among the first 70 (out of 332) to be announced. The contribution of the Municipality and the local community to its preparation is mandatory and self-evident, and no intervention is needed for this!
9. Integrated waste management: This is already happening with the major landfill project in Lachno! Recycling is being carried out as normal, and Mr. Souris should know that sorting at source and everything he promises for waste is part of Phase II of the projects that have already been announced by EDSNA following our interventions and will soon be put out to tender.  
10. Marinas – fishing shelters: Six port project studies funded by the Public Investment Program and FILODIMOS are already being prepared by the Port Fund, following relevant multi-year competitive procedures. One of these (with the largest budget) concerns the marina at Piso Gialos Kapsaliou, while the others concern the improvement and upgrading of ports and fishing shelters. The 2^η Marina proposed by Mr. Souris Where exactly will it be built? Is there a specific proposal? Has a preliminary scientific study been conducted?; 
11. Municipal Conference Center: Mr. Souris suggests (or rather promises) that he will build one in the center of the island. We forgive him for his ignorance because when our Economic Committee submitted a relevant proposal to the TRITSIS program (Call AT09), he was absent from the island. The TPMA (Study Fee Estimate) has been submitted to the Ministry of the Interior and provides for the construction of a Municipal Conference Center on a privately owned plot of land belonging to the Municipality in Karvounades. 

Let us now examine the vague promises by Mr. Souris, without any costing and without any reference to how they will be implemented. 

1. Road Network: general references to «designing new roads and building bypasses,» «modernizing the network,» «building roundabouts,» «building sidewalks and bike lanes.». Where? At which points? With what studies? With what hierarchy?; Contrary to Mr. Souris' theories, Our program for municipal road construction is clear, hierarchical, specific, and, above all, feasible.. For the main road, for example, and the bypasses around settlements, we are promoting the updating of the «Roubou» study (the Region has already included the studies in its budget), which will cost approximately €450,000 (€12,000/km plus VAT based on ATOE prices) just to update the studies. Does Mr. Souris have any other ideas in mind? Will he implement any other study?; 
2. Sewerage: The relentless effort to undermine the enormous sewerage project in the southern part of Kythira continues. The financing of this project is the greatest success of our municipal authority and definitively resolves a huge environmental problem on half of the island. The projects are funded and implemented based on their maturity, not on where the electoral base of each mayoral candidate resides! Of course The construction of wastewater treatment plants in Potamos and Agia Pelagia is an absolute necessity, but they cannot all be done at once! The construction of the wastewater treatment plant in Potamos is a priority, as it is the only one that can be completed within the current budget, and the construction of the wastewater treatment plant in Agia Pelagia is a priority for the future, as it is the only one that can be completed within the budget. We are fixing the sewer system in the southern part, and we are the ONLY ones who can fix it in the northern part too! Our program also makes a clear provision for the sewerage system and the wider area of Paleopolis/Avlemonas/Diakofto, about which Mr. Souris's party remains silent, clearly does not interest him! And – finally – let's leave the LIES about alleged increases in sewerage charges because the sewer system will be built in the southern part of Kythira! It is a rather cunning—but futile—attempt to mislead the public, and it is not working! He is exposing himself irreparably. 
3. Telephony and InternetWhat exactly will Mr. Souris do? Will he buy out OTE? Will he establish a «Municipal Telephone and Internet Company»?; Our municipality already provides free WiFi at specific locations through the pan-European WIFI4u program. The rest is the responsibility of the providers and, of course, the relevant ministries. Moreover, telecommunications are constantly being upgraded on our island thanks to the projects of the providers (e.g., Rural South, etc.). 
4. Undergrounding of HEDNO networks: We all agree. Our municipal authority has already begun to do this locally based on redevelopment projects (e.g., Belvedere, redevelopment studies for Avlemonas, Chora, Potamos, etc.). Is Mr. Souris aware of how high the cost of undergrounding the networks is? Where will the money come from? There is NO relevant financing program. Will he increase municipal electricity fees to cover these enormous costs?; 
5. Municipal green spaces and squares: Where exactly will Mr. Souris build the «Municipal Park of Local Flora and Fauna»? Who will maintain it and at what cost? No specific reference.. On the contrary, our party's program for urban areas (renovations, squares) is clear, specific, and costed, and is based on studies that have already been completed or are currently underway.   
6. Sports Facilities: Once again, Mr. Souris is trying to mislead the public with excessive cunning when he says that «there is no comprehensive plan for the construction and organization of sports facilities.» Because there IS! And this is clearly demonstrated by projects that have already been completed (Manitochori, Viaradika, Children's Playgrounds) or contracted (Potamos, Frilingianika) or are awaiting funding (Indoor Gymnasium Studies). Regarding the swimming pool, Mr. Souris should tell us a) the cost of its construction, b) its location, and—most importantly—c) how the alarmingly high operating and maintenance costs will be covered! When large municipalities with high revenues are bleeding money to maintain municipal swimming pools, how exactly will the Municipality of Kythira do it? Where will the two municipal employees he says he will assign to operate the sports facilities come from? Will it make new hires on its own? Will it take staff from the municipal registry, for example, and send them to the sports facilities?; Unwise promises that demonstrate a dangerous lack of knowledge about how the municipality operates...
7. Hospital: It is truly a jewel for our island. We wonder, however, why Mr. Souris does not seem to be concerned about the severe shortage of specialized medical personnel and the constant departure of doctors. Is there a reason for this? Could it be that he does not want to «upset» one of his colleagues and supporters?; He ignores that allowance Is the money we have been giving for the past six years (€25-30,000 per year) the reason why there are no longer any vacancies for rural doctors in Kythira and Antikythira?; 
8. Construction of two municipal housing units to accommodate employees: Where? How? Based on which urban planning provisions will two new settlements be built on the island? With what studies? With what funding?; Words of the air... 
9. TransportationWho will drive the «two small buses»? Are you aware that at least three permanent drivers are required for each bus due to shifts, leave, etc.? The issue of internal transportation has been a concern for our municipal authority from the outset. Legal, procedural, financial, and technical issues do not allow for its implementation at this stage. We will provide detailed information on the matter.   
10. New Secondary Education Unit (!): That is Does Mr. Souris consider the historic building of the Kythira Gymnasium unsuitable? And the Lyceum? And will he throw away the studies currently being prepared for the new classrooms, which we ourselves have included in the Attica Regional Operational Program? In other words, is he promising to move the Gymnasium/Lyceum from Chora, where it has been located for over 100 years?;  But also his proposals for Primary Schools reflect the utter confusion: he says he will build two «Daycare-Kindergarten» units! He ignores the fact that The Daycare Center is NOT a compulsory education facility and is not co-located with Kindergartens. (Kindergartens belong to the municipalities and nurseries to the Ministry of Education). We are stating the obvious: continuous upgrading of the Fratsia Kindergarten (which we have been doing for years) and 2^os A nursery school in Logothetianika, based on the already funded study we have submitted to the Region, with only the Programmatic Agreement for the project's tender remaining. And what about the primary schools?; He proposes two elementary schools, returning to a proposal made 25 years ago that never went ahead for both technical and financial reasons. He proposes two new schools, but—knowing that they will not be built—he also proposes the expansion of the existing schools in Potamos and Chora. Is he so sure that the Chora Board of Directors, which is in direct visual contact with the Castle, can be expanded? We are clear: ONE modern primary school in the center of Kythira! This is what almost the entire school community wants, and this is what we will proceed with in our new term. 
11. River Theater: he doesn't tell us anything, just «immediate reopening»! He'll press the magic button and everything will be fixed! As is well known, We have completed the five demanding studies for the Potamos Theater, and now the relevant permits must be issued, which is no easy task as the theater is located in a forest area. And then we need to find the funding (€735,000) to carry out the project. Only then will the theater be legally licensed and able to admit audiences. Anything else is criminal irresponsibility towards citizens and potential visitors to the area!
12. Construction of an Open-Air Theater in Chora: Where? How? Was the Archaeology Department consulted? Is there privately owned municipal land?; Yet another empty promise with no clear implementation framework.
13. We leave the proposal for the «Tourist Train of Chora – Kapsali»! It reminded us of another remarkable proposal made in 2019 by a candidate who is now on Mr. Souris's ticket, regarding the «Ano-Kato Chora Mylopotamos Cable Car». We will not comment further... the proposal itself is sufficient for everyone to understand the impracticability of Mr. Souris' program...

Mr. Souris says many other things in his «Programmatic Framework» text for the elections. Some of these are clear attempt to mislead citizens on highly sensitive issues. For example, he says that will change «the outdated Special Forestry Provision of the 1990s»! In other words, Mr. Souris promises to change the Forestry Legislation, which applies nationwide and in accordance with Article 24 of the Constitution?; He promises «real operation of the Cultural Organization»! But is he unaware that the Ministry of the Interior, through the competent Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr. Livaniou, has announced the abolition of all these legal entities from 2024 and the incorporation of their responsibilities into the municipalities? Is he unaware that the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Livaniou, has already announced the abolition of the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Limassol?; 

There is no need to say anything else at this point. Our country has paid dearly for its trust in apprentice wizards. In the coming years, Kythira needs vision, but also knowledge and management experience, so that the vision can become a reality. Mr. Souris and his team are fond of coffee shop theories, but in reality, they simply reveal their complete ignorance. They are trying to present a program, but in essence Their only agenda is: «Change the mayor and let the earth burn!» And citizens have now understood this very well and will give their answer on October 8.