The debate that began following the... is escalating into a head-on political confrontation. First Open Rally of the Greek Left Alliance (EL.A.S.) in Kythira, which took place in Avlemonas with the participation of residents, representatives of the local community, and members of the municipal opposition.

Two days after the event, the mayor of Kythira, Efstratios Charchalakis, posted a lengthy and particularly scathing public message on Facebook, titled «The Political Indecency of the Hellenic Police in Kythira», launching an attack both against the Head of the Local Government Division of the Hellenic Police George Ioakeimidis, as well as against the two leaders of the municipal minority factions who attended the rally.

«Just one phone call, George…»

The first point the mayor emphasizes is the fact that Giorgos Ioakeimidis, although he was on the island and the two men have known each other for years through their shared work in local government, did not, according to Mr. Charchalakis, even seek a formal meeting with him.

«Just a quick call, George, “Stratos, we’re in Kythira for a speech—let’s meet up for coffee,”» he writes characteristically, leaving open the question of whether this was a «slip-up» or a deliberate political choice.

From that point on, the post takes on a clearly more aggressive tone.

Mr. Charchalakis is attempting to counter the criticism voiced at the event regarding infrastructure and development issues, arguing that visitors to EL.A.S., even without meeting him personally, were able to see projects that were carried out during the current municipal administration’s term.

This stance stands in direct contrast to the tone of the event, where citizens raised issues concerning, among other things, health, education, entrepreneurship, tourism, and the daily lives of residents, while the Hellenic Police (ELAS) emphasized as its central message the need for greater public participation in decision-making.

Perhaps the most important political aspect of the post is found toward the end of it.

Mr. Charchalakis maintains that Giorgos Ioakeimidis, in his capacity as a Regional Councilor for Attica, voted against the decision to resume the Agia Pelagia water supply project, while he also mentions his vote against the Attica Region’s budget.

Criticism was also directed at the municipal opposition

Mr. Charhalakis is not limited to the Hellenic Police.

In the postscript to his post, he directly targets the two leaders of the minority municipal factions who participated in the rally, accusing them of a lack of «a coherent and concrete argument,» a lack of feasible proposals, and political and ideological «vacillation.».

At the same time, he directly raises the issue of the political and ideological orientation of municipal political groups, arguing that local government is a sphere for the exercise of politics and not an «apolitical» space.

The post concludes with a clear reference to the upcoming municipal elections.

He concludes with the phrase:

«See you on November 26, 2028 (…) We’ll be here. Will you?»

and a little earlier, he addresses Giorgos Ioakeimidis personally:

«My friend George, you didn't start off well, and you won't end well either.».

With this intervention, the Hellenic Police’s first presence on Kythira appears to be gaining political momentum. The rally in Avlemonas, which the organizers had presented as a forum for open dialogue with the community, provoked an immediate and fierce reaction from the mayor and opened a new front of confrontation, which now goes beyond the scope of a party event and directly impacts the local political scene and the run-up to the upcoming local elections.

The full post:

The Greek Police’s Political Indecency in Kythira

In recent days, a delegation from ELAS—the party recently founded by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras—visited our island. The delegation was led by Giorgos Ioakeimidis, the long-time mayor of Renti, an experienced local government official and widely respected figure—not so much for his views (after all, he was a staunch supporter of Law 4555/2018, passed by SYRIZA to dismantle local government—the most disastrous piece of legislation for municipalities in the country’s history), but mainly for his overall career in local government to date. Despite his experience, however, my colleague George, even though he was on the island these past few days, did not consider it necessary, appropriate, or proper to speak with the mayor of this town—not to invite him to his speech in Avlemonas, where he had invited the two opposition factions, but even just for a formal meeting on local government matters, since, as mayors, we have shared the stage at meetings, conferences, and events—and usually on the same side. Just a quick call, George: «Stratos, we’re in Kythira for a speech—let’s meet up for some coffee.» A gaffe? A deliberate political choice—imposed from above or made of our own accord? It doesn’t matter at all.
What matters is that, despite what was said at the event in Avlemonas in front of 70–80 people (not exactly a huge crowd, though…), my friend George Ioakeimidis and the ELAS officials not only met with me, but in fact had me with them the entire time, whether they wanted to or not:
 As they crossed the new Makrona Bridge, which we inaugurated two years ago with Nikos Hardalias.
 When they went swimming in Chalkos, Melidoni, Lagkada, and Kaladi—where our municipal government built modern roads.
 When they were having a drink at the Belvedere, which our municipal government has renovated in an exemplary manner.
 When they took a romantic stroll along the Agia Pelagia seaside promenade, which we had lit up so beautifully years ago.
 When they passed through Fratsia, where our municipal government completed the renovation of the island’s largest square several years ago.
 When they turned on the faucets in their rooms to take a shower, and sure enough! they had plenty of water (contrary to the populist rantings of certain people who rub their hands together at the first sign of a problem with the water supply system, but that’s just how they are—we don’t expect anything else)—which we’ve secured through hard work and methodical planning with dozens of projects over the years: https://kythira.gr/…/milame-me-ergo-kai-ston-tomea-tis…/
 When they drank the exquisite local beer «KAKIA MELISSA» or tasted one of Kythira’s certified olive oils, which we have vigorously supported through the LEADER Program—a program that one of the opposition leaders, whom they invited to their event to enlighten them, has publicly pledged to abolish (because «independence from the Islands Network» directly means the termination of the LEADER program in Kythira).
 When they drove along the roads along which the sewer system for the southern part of Kythira was built, the second-largest wastewater management project in Greece, funded by the Recovery Fund!
 When they passed by the modern, certified sports facilities that Kythira acquired for the first time thanks to our municipal administration.
 When they gave their speech in Avlemonas, where they had a prime opportunity to see firsthand exactly where the money from the Recovery Fund had gone and how it had been used, in one of the most comprehensive and well-rounded urban renewal projects nationwide—the «ELEFTHERIA KYTHIRA» party, in their pre-election speech in the village, told the residents that the project would never happen!
Clearly, our municipality still has needs and problems that need to be resolved, just like all municipalities, for that matter. The only political force, however, that has a proven track record of resolving them is our municipal party, the longest-standing in the history of local government on Kythira and the only one to have earned the trust of the citizens in three consecutive elections. And this is because we do not limit ourselves to vague theories and endless verbiage, but we put our vision into action through all the projects we have completed over the years. Citizens are tired of theories and easy solutions. They’re tired of hearing «this must be done.» They want to hear, «This will be done in this way, within this timeframe, and under these conditions.» The rest is just hot air. Seriously, have all those who invest in a “zero-sum” mentality and leveling the playing field realized that these tactics no longer convince anyone? Dozens of water supply projects, sewer system improvements in the southern sector, modern playgrounds and sports facilities, road construction projects, street lighting projects, large and small-scale revitalization projects, the cultural repurposing of municipal buildings, the LEADER program and substantial support for the primary sector, institutional protection of domestic property, the legalization of ports, and dozens of other projects and initiatives bear the hallmark and the name of our Municipal Authority, as do all the new major projects we have ready for implementation.
Several years ago, as the new mayor, along with Giorgos Ioakeimidis, a seasoned local government official, were dining as guests of Poros Mayor Yiannis Dimitriadis at a seaside restaurant on the beautiful island in the Saronic Gulf. There, Giorgos said the following to me: «The hardest re-election for a mayor is the third one. If you’re elected for a third consecutive term, you’ll die as mayor.» I’ll just leave it at that…
And since I’m reading rave reviews (not from many people, but that doesn’t matter) about this «massive» gathering, it would be good if the representatives of the Hellenic Police in Kythira—who are so concerned about local development projects—should be aware that their guest, Giorgos Ioakeimidis, as a Regional Councilor for Attica, VOTED AGAINST the resumption of the Agia Pelagia water supply project (Resolution 146/2026 of the Attica Regional Council), just as he has VOTED IN FAVOR of the Regional Budget, which includes the River Theater (€950,000), the River Revitalization Project (€1,300,000), the Municipal Slaughterhouses (€2,800,000), the new Daycare Center in Logothetianika, for which a contract has already been awarded (€400,000), the flood control projects in Agia Pelagia and Avlemona (€750,000), and the feasibility study for the main road (€60,000). It would be very interesting to know: Did anyone ask him WHY HE VOTED AGAINST ALL OF KYTHIRA’S PROJECTS at the very moment he came to our island and preached to us about development? An answer is urgently needed. So we can know who has the island’s best interests at heart and who is playing political games at its expense!
Hey, George, you didn't start off well, so you won't end well either. It's a law of nature.
P.S.: And a few words about the two leaders of the minority factions who were invited to the event. What they said proves only one thing: a complete lack of a coherent and specific argument, no feasible proposals, no vision, no plan, criticism of the projects they themselves DO NOT vote for, and worst of all, ideological and political vacillation. Because in politics, it’s a mistake to think you’ll please everyone. It’s impossible. Citizens, gentlemen, want to know your ideological stance. They want to know your ideological roots and your ideological beliefs. Local government is not a playground for apolitical or “multi-political” rising stars. It is a clear exercise in politics, with an ideological and partisan agenda. I have never hidden mine, and I was judged on it in three consecutive elections. What is yours?;
So, Happy Assumption Day!
See you on November 26, 2028, Stylianos of Paphlagonia and Nikon of «Repent,» patron saint of Lacedaemon, help us (you).
We'll be here. Will you?;