KEDE Annual Conference begins in Kalamata

The Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) has launched its annual three-day conference in Kalamata, running from November 5 to November 7. The event, themed “Strong Municipalities – Strong Local Communities – Strong Greece,” brings together hundreds of mayors, elected officials, and government representatives, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Local leaders are using the platform to demand urgent reforms to address the financial and operational instability of Greek municipalities. Key demands include an increase in Central Autonomous Resources (KAP) to cover rising operating costs, which are estimated at 5.5 billion euros against current funding of less than 3 billion euros. Municipalities are also calling for a reduction in energy costs, the hiring of permanent staff, and the establishment of a stable development program for infrastructure maintenance.

Additional points of contention include the transfer of building service responsibilities to the Land Registry and the need for greater administrative and financial autonomy. KEDE President Lazaros Kyrizoglou warned that if the government does not provide a substantive response to these resource gaps, local authorities may consider organized protests.