Greek local councils object to new Local Government Code

The government‑drafted Local Government Code, currently before the parliament, is presented as a modernization of municipal administration, but local authorities say it turns municipalities into profit‑driven entities and ties funding to the EU Recovery Fund.

The popular assembly of the municipality of Markopoulo issued a press release demanding full state financing, the return of withheld local‑government resources, massive hiring of permanent staff, the abolition of any profit‑based service provision, a ban on privatisation in essential sectors and stronger democratic participation of citizens.

Similarly, the Piraeus Municipal Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that highlights the code’s expanded central oversight, the risk of reduced municipal autonomy, vague financing provisions and the need to reassess clauses on contractual obligations and the transfer of powers under the Constitution. Both bodies call for clearer funding, protection of local self‑government and safeguards against the commercialisation of public services.