«The Mitsotakis government’s »incompetence in managing the response to last week’s devastating wildfires«» was highlighted by SYRIZA-PS spokesperson Nasos Iliopoulos, speaking on ERT television. He further denounced that «the New Democracy party’s policy is part of the problem of the climate crisis» and demanded answers: “It’s unacceptable that the government can’t tell us how many aircraft are currently in the air. Mr. Hardalias didn’t provide any answer, and the government spokesperson is on vacation!”.
«Before Mr. Hatzidakis brought the issue of unpaid overtime to the Ministry of Labor, he introduced an environmental law at the Ministry of the Environment that invalidated all the ratified forest maps, turning a blind eye to those who want to get their hands on these lands,» he emphasized, noting that «all environmental organizations called for its withdrawal.» «With this law, instead of recycling, we’ll be burning trash,» he said, adding that «Furthermore, the Mitsotakis government abolished the pilot program for forest protection, which employed 5,066 workers.».
«It is, to say the least, outrageous that government officials are patting each other on the back when, with winds of 2–3 Beaufort, northern Euboea was wiped out, a large part of Attica was engulfed in flames, and Gythio was evacuated,» said N. Iliopoulos, adding: «Unfortunately, New Democracy realized we were facing a very severe heat wave far too late. It would have been better if they had realized this when the National Observatory issued a warning and when they ignored the protective measures proposed by SYRIZA to ensure citizens» safety.”.
The spokesperson for SYRIZA-PS pointed out that «before we address the catastrophic events of the past week, the increase in burned areas in 2021 was 50% compared to 2020 and 116% compared to 2019.».
He also emphasized the urgent need «to repeal the Hatzidakis law and, through public consultation, draft a new climate law, and to reinstate the highly successful forest protection program.».
Meanwhile, he expressed his condolences for the volunteer firefighter who lost his life, calling on the state to provide financial assistance to his family. «Our thoughts are with our fellow citizens who are suffering, having lost their livelihoods and struggled to make ends meet,» he said, while condemning the attack on journalists from the OPEN television station: «Although police were present in the area, they did not intervene. We hope to receive a response today from the Ministry of Citizen Protection.».
