SYRIZA Kythira: «Kissing up to the government won't solve the problems, Mr. Charhalakis.“

On the occasion of the New Announcement from the Mayor of Kythira–Antikythira, the SYRIZA Members’ Organization – Kythira Local Council has responded harshly, accusing Mr. Charhalakis of acting as Mitsotakis’s party leader instead of addressing the island’s real problems.

In her statement, O.M. emphasizes that the mayor’s approach—which is based on a «policy of sycophancy» toward the government—does not provide solutions to the long-standing issues facing Kythira — ranging from health and education to infrastructure and the daily lives of residents.

The full press release from the SYRIZA – PS Kythira Local Organization is as follows:

“Sucking up” to the government doesn't solve problems, Mr. Charhalakis

After reading Mr. Charhalakis’s latest statement, many people were confused and thought it was a statement from the “Truth Group” (you know, that group that used public funds to spread propaganda with lies in support of the Mitsotakis government).

But this is the same mayor and party leader who is primarily «worried» about the future of SYRIZA – P.S., he’s worried about what the former prime minister will do and whether he’s performing his duties properly… His anxiety is understandable; they feel the same way at the Maximos Mansion, and that’s exactly what the various internet trolls are writing!!!

But this is the mayor of Kythira-Antikythira, who, in theory, should be in his office dealing with serious local issues right now, instead of engaging in political maneuvering on his keyboard… This is a mayor who believes that «the island is one vast construction site»; this is a mayor who sees «sewage treatment plant projects, urban renewal projects, water supply networks, building projects, road construction, etc.» Mr. Charhalakis has a unique talent for presenting anything included in any program as a project that has already been completed. Regardless of whether there are funds to actually carry it out (see the Agia Pelagia water supply project, which has been pending for over a decade and whose dilapidated network results in constant outages due to leaks, and a series of projects that have been included in budgets for a decade but have never been carried out—see the slaughterhouse, etc.). And he is all too ready to shift the blame onto others (the Regional Authority, etc.). «Whatever happens is his doing. Whenever things go wrong, it's everyone else's fault.».

First of all, we would like to ask the mayor to give us a tour of this island he describes, because here in Kythira we’ve been driving on the same poorly maintained roads for years, we have the same airport, the same port; with every fire, we count our losses; every year our numbers dwindle—especially the young people, who are emigrating because ’the island has no job opportunities,« every year we see the problems in the areas of health and education getting worse; we see the cost of living rising rapidly while wages and pensions lose purchasing power;  we see that nothing effective is being done to improve infrastructure; we are drowning in trash every day, etc. The only ones who are happy are a small group of people in power within the municipality and those who are awarded public works contracts (especially those who receive direct awards of 37,700 euros)…

We need to make one thing clear: We have no personal dispute with the Mayor of Kythira or the team that supports him. On the contrary, we offer our support to the institution of the Municipality (See our recent announcement following the fires – to get a response from the party leader, Mr. Mayor). However, we have a different political perspective and a different assessment of the role, style, and ethos of the authority that is exercised. And we believe that anything concerning our islands and the lives of their residents concerns him as well, and that he must fight for and advocate on their behalf, drawing strength from the citizens.

Mr. Charchalakis lists the letters he sent to local lawmakers regarding real problems. Is that enough? Or are these simply inadequate tactics designed to pass the buck?; Letters won't solve any problems unless the relevant political leaders feel that they will be held accountable by the people of Kythira. If they don't feel that they «won't get the votes» in the next election unless they solve these problems. Unfortunately, the mayor has chosen a «policy of pandering and appeasement» toward the government and the relevant authorities. The fact that this policy is ineffective is evident from the consequences we are all experiencing in Kythira. Mr. Charhalakis and we are at odds over the development policies for our islands. We have a vision of equitable development that benefits the many. The policies pursued by Mr. Charhalakis and the Mitsotakis government, in practice, scandalously favor the profits of the few. The rest of us «might get a crumb if we beg for it»…

As for SYRIZA, it would be wise for them to be careful when addressing us.

First, Most of us make a living from our own jobs in the private sector, with thousands of social security stamps, recognized education, and genuine degrees…

Second, None of us has been convicted of slander.

Third, We are proud of our consistent political choices, always standing with the left and the unity of progressive forces. We never «suck-up» to Dourou…

Fourth And most importantly, we publicly submit our proposals under our own names.

The SYRIZA Local Organization – Kythira Municipal Section and its leaders have repeatedly written articles about the new development model that Kythira needs. We have specifically addressed issues related to health, education, transportation, the environment, and so on. We have brought many of these issues to the Parliament, as we did with the recent questions posed by our MPs Alexandros Meikopoulos on coastal shipping, Miltiadis Zambaras on wind power, Dionysis Kalamatianos on education, and interventions with the Regional Authority regarding the airport (the idea of expanding which the mayor eventually endorsed, albeit belatedly, under pressure). It is also worth recalling that the ’transportation equivalent« was established by SYRIZA when the late Nektarios Santorinios served as Minister of Shipping; (this is what Mr. Mitsotakis’s government has been delaying in paying out, and on which the mayor has remained silent). Let us also recall the state of the hospital during the SYRIZA administration, when it was a model of excellence, with a fully staffed team (14 doctors), excellent logistical infrastructure, and outstanding patient care. Let’s not forget that the largest project undertaken so far in Kythira—the landfill—was carried out with the support of the SYRIZA government and the Regional Authority under the administration of Rena Dourou. And all this despite the empty coffers, the bailout agreements, and the country’s bankruptcy—a situation left behind in 2015 by the government of the mayor’s allies.

And we have essentially restored our national sovereignty (exit from the bailout programs) and filled the coffers for the first time in the country’s history. This is now recognized by both friends and «friends.».

This is the legacy of SYRIZA and the Tsipras government, which the mayor—by reducing himself to the role of Mr. Mitsotakis’s party henchman (or so he pretends)—does not understand.

Furthermore, we want to make one thing clear: We have no ties to «frappe-sellers» and «butchers.» We do not cover up crimes, nor do we slander grieving parents. We stand on the front lines in every just cause alongside every democratic citizen of Kythira, regardless of how they vote. Our vision is not to be appointed to a position in Brussels, but to be of service to our homeland. Furthermore, we are citizens of the world, and issues of humanity and solidarity concern us. We were present at the recent rally in Stai Square in Chora against the genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinians; we didn’t take a vacation…

In short: We are not all the same, and we will never be the same. Mr. Charhalakis may be busy at his beloved keyboard, praising the government’s policies. We, however, will stand firm to propose and fight alongside the people of Kythira for fair, progressive solutions and to expose every injustice, every act of arbitrariness, and every instance of «Ludovicism» by mediocre people.