The Minister of Finance expressed his concerns yesterday before the Finance Committee regarding the state of local government finances, following the much-touted reform.
These concerns can be considered rather late.
One didn’t need a degree in economics or a crystal ball to predict the fate of a local government model with 20 mayors, 93 deputy mayors, plus five regional governors with their own distinct—and often unclear—roles, all in a country with a population of just around one million.
Everything was predictable, and everything had already been said.
If one looks back at articles published before the implementation of this so-called reform, they will find that what we are witnessing now had been forecasted.
Reports from experts, invited by the government itself, warned that without the necessary population base, the reforms would create unsustainable entities.
However, the technocratic and economic data didn’t matter. What did matter was satisfying the political parties and their people.
It’s worth noting that the conversation initially started because 30 municipalities were considered too many for such a small country.
After years of discussions and millions spent on studies, the 30 municipalities became 20, plus five regions, essentially maintaining the same structure.
With these mergers, cumbersome administrative bodies were created.
The current government could offer the excuse that these decisions were made by others.
Yet, the President of the Republic hailed the reform as “historic” and “a legacy for future generations.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Interior, who initially flagged issues, later assured the public that services were fully prepared for the leap that, just a few months later, turned out to be a leap into the void.
While it was presented as if everything had been organised for a smooth transition (a goal for which local elections were postponed by 2.5 years), no smooth transition occurred.
As always, staffing is the problem. One after another, local authorities cite inadequate staffing as a major issue.
To the already problematic financial situation, further costs have been added. “The wedding costs aren’t worth it for the bride,” said former Interior Minister Nicos Nouris, expressing his disagreement with the final number of municipalities.
Yet, we are stuck with the bride and the problematic marriage, which will cost us dearly.
As if the reform’s issues weren’t enough, now Hippodamus (an urban planning project) and planning amnesty have entered the scene, and it seems like the shop might be closing down altogether.