Greek Parliament Passes Controversial Water Management Bill Expanding EYDAP and EYATH Powers

Greek Parliament water management bill EYDAP EYATH water commodification

The Greek Parliament approved a new water‑management bill, extending the authority of the national water utilities EYDAP and EYATH. In the final vote 157 deputies voted in favour, 131 against, with 288 members present. The legislation creates a unified management framework, establishes the Thessaly Water Management Agency and aims to cut water losses that currently exceed 50 % in many regions, targeting a reduction to five‑six drops per ten.

Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou argued that “the existing water‑management system has exhausted its limits” and that the fragmented model of over 700 separate entities hampers effective planning and protection of public health. Critics from PASOK, KKE and other opposition parties contend the bill commodifies water, turning a public good into a marketable product, and warn of rising costs for households, agriculture and industry. The debate also highlighted concerns about AI data‑center projects that could demand large volumes of water, adding pressure to an already stressed water‑supply system.

Entities: Alex Tsipras · Alexis Tsipras · EYATH (Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company) · EYATH (ΕΥΑΘ) · EYATh · EYDAP · EYDAP (Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company) · EYDAP (ΕΥΔΑΠ) · Greek Parliament · Greek government · Kyriakos Mitsotakis · New Democracy

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] New Democracy voted “yes” on the bill’s opening, while opposition parties voted “no”. (c8473122-379e-414b-bfb2-c9b0fca4b136, 7afc1485-851e-4daf-8605-bb925a026074)
[● 2 SOURCES] The PASOK objection also claims the bill breaches article 25 of the Constitution concerning proportionality. (a2aae903-2d3b-491f-808e-9bd8b145a844, 14ae2182-d172-48a0-950c-9b2ad49b04d2)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Committee on Production and Trade approved the bill expanding EYDAP and EYATH authority by a majority vote. (c8473122-379e-414b-bfb2-c9b0fca4b136, 7afc1485-851e-4daf-8605-bb925a026074)
[● 3 SOURCES] Recent prosecutor investigations found bacterial contamination in Sithonia (Chalkidiki) and elevated uranium and fluoride in Volvi municipality. (c8473122-379e-414b-bfb2-c9b0fca4b136, 7afc1485-851e-4daf-8605-bb925a026074)
[● 2 SOURCES] PASOK submitted a constitutional objection to articles 3, 4, 6 and 16 of the bill, arguing they violate article 102 of the Constitution on local autonomy. (a2aae903-2d3b-491f-808e-9bd8b145a844, 14ae2182-d172-48a0-950c-9b2ad49b04d2)
[● 2 SOURCES] Environment and Energy Minister Stergios Papastaurou said the reform is needed to end fragmented water management and cited water‑quality investigations in Sithonia and Volvi. (c8473122-379e-414b-bfb2-c9b0fca4b136, 7afc1485-851e-4daf-8605-bb925a026074)
[● 2 SOURCES] The bill proposes to extend the geographic jurisdiction of EYDAP and EYATH to all first‑level local government organisations (O.T.A. A). (a2aae903-2d3b-491f-808e-9bd8b145a844, 14ae2182-d172-48a0-950c-9b2ad49b04d2)
[● 2 SOURCES] The bill transfers management of storm‑water networks to EYDAP and EYATH, except for well cleaning. (a2aae903-2d3b-491f-808e-9bd8b145a844, 14ae2182-d172-48a0-950c-9b2ad49b04d2)
[● 4 SOURCES] PASOK says it has settled its debts and taken no new loans since 2010. (existing)
[● 2 SOURCES] PASOK accuses the government of mismanaging the EU recovery fund of about €70 billion. (existing)
[● 3 SOURCES] PASOK alleges Alex Tsipras’s ELAS is financed by opaque resources and spends millions on campaigns. (PASOK attacks on ELAS)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Three firefighters died while on duty, an incident highlighted by PASOK. (PASOK condemnation)