The political confrontation between the Mayor of Kythera Efstratios Harhalakis and the head of the «Free Kythera» faction Anargyros Sophios took on a new dimension today, after the publication of an extensive - and particularly sharp - statement by Mr Sophios.
Responding to the previous post of the Mayor, Mr.Sophios comes back with harsh criticism on issues of institutional functioning, tourism policy, everyday life of citizens and personal style in public debate. At the same time, he openly clarifies his political intention to contest the mayoralty in the next elections, while criticizing the current administration's actions.
His statement follows in detail:
Dear Mr. Harhalakis,
let's start from the basics, from proper Greek. The term ‘minor minority’ that you use does not exist. Either we say minority or we say minor opposition. Minority does not have ‘minor’ and ‘major’. When one talks about institutions, it is good to know the basic definitions first or else one is exposed before one even begins the discussion. Your willingness to belittle our politics boils down to... self-deprecation.
All these years of self-government, and you still confuse both the terminology and our roles?;
We ask, you answer. That is the role of accountability.
The fact that it seems ‘new’ to you probably explains a lot about your term of office.
As for my travels, let's get that straight too:
It's not about the Kythiraikos people where I go and what I do in my personal time.
At least I pay for my trips out of my own pocket and not out of the citizens'.
And above all: if I want to travel in order to get to know the expatriate Greeks and to voluntarily advertise our country, I will not ask your permission. Bans, ‘orders’ and permits exist only in your own minds.
What have you, in your institutional capacity, done about it?;
The answer is well known: nothing.
For my dear Mrs Varda, I have this to say: I asked her a simple question: why she did not take her place at the tourism conference as deputy mayor of tourism as she was supposed to and as we expected. But she ended up asking me, as you did, about Egypt.
You, as is your wont, were the APON.
And now on to the ‘big projects’.
You say and say again that the works are yours.
The projects, Mr. Harhalakis, are funding projects that the island DESERVES.
It was going to happen anyway, with or without you.
The question is:
What have you done for our children?;
For the life of a local?;
For internal development?;
For tourism beyond fiestas?;
For everyday life?;
The gaps are huge.
And everybody sees them.
I talk to people every day, don't you? In all the years you've been the ruler of this place have you taken a human walk to ask to talk to people? Does your arrogance let you even consider it as a way of communicating?;
The public only see you in office photos, behind stacks of paper (no serious studies in them?).
And because you ask about my goals:
Yes, I want to be the Mayor of Kythera.
I say this clearly and honestly.
To see my island as I dreamed of it as a child: with life, with new people, with perspective, with light. And I'm not alone. I have a capable team ready to manage the administration of our municipality.
You, after 15 years, have offered the opposite:
wilting, abandonment, and an island that is leaving, as are its young people.
As for you, it is clear that your goal is much «bigger» than your present office.
The problem?;
On the way to it, you are operating at the expense of the residents themselves.
You disregard the people who have honoured you and act with arrogance and threats.
And because we are indeed not all the same,
I wish you from the bottom of my heart:
achieve your personal goal as soon as possible 😏
For this country to finally breathe again.
P.S. I dedicate to you a photo of me from this year's beach volleyball tournament that you so often refer to... Maybe it bothers you that we are uniting the world and everyone is happy.
You guys continue from the comments section, you feel safer there. 😉
