Mayors From All Over Greece Meet for Annual Conference

The annual conference of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) opens in Kalamata on Thursday, bringing together mayors and elected local government representatives from across the country to address major challenges threatening the financial and operational sustainability of municipalities.

Held under the slogan “Strong Municipalities – Strong Local Communities – Strong Greece”, the three-day conference will run until Saturday, November 7, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, political party leaders, parliamentary representatives and government ministers and deputy ministers expected to attend.

KEDE President and Mayor of Ampelokipoi-Menemeni, Lazaros Kyrizoglou, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) that municipalities are seeking increased funding through Central Autonomous Funds (KAP) to meet mounting operating costs.

He also highlighted electricity prices, which place a substantial financial burden on municipalities, the need to recruit permanent staff and the introduction of a development programme that would allow local authorities to maintain roads, schools, sports facilities and other public infrastructure.

Regarding this year’s conference in Kalamata, Kyrizoglou said Messinia was welcoming mayors and elected representatives for three days, following previous conferences in Rhodes and Alexandroupolis during the current municipal term.

He stressed the importance of holding KEDE conferences and board meetings across Greece rather than concentrating activities in Athens, arguing that the organisation wanted to put into practice the principle that Greece extends beyond its capital.

Three-Day Conference Programme

The conference proceedings will begin at 11 am on Thursday at a central hotel in Kalamata. Mitsotakis is scheduled to attend and address delegates at 5.30 pm.

The opening session will feature speeches by KEDE President Lazaros Kyrizoglou, President of the Regional Union of Municipalities of the Peloponnese and Kalamata Mayor Thanasis Vasilopoulos, and Peloponnese Regional Governor Dimitris Ptochos.

Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios will also address the conference, followed by speeches from political party leaders and representatives of parliamentary parties.

On the opening day, organisers will honour former Kalamata mayor and former minister Stavros Benos, as well as former Messinia prefect and former president of the Union of Prefectural Authorities of Greece, Dimitris Drakos.

Friday’s programme will feature seven sessions involving government officials. Discussions will cover the environment and sustainable development, municipal financial autonomy and funding programmes, multi-level governance and institutional modernisation, local government and social cohesion, civil protection and crisis management, regional development and territorial cohesion, and culture and education.

The conference will conclude on Saturday with the presentation of its findings and the adoption of a KEDE resolution.

(Source: AMNA)

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