In a monitoring report on the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, debated today, the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities called on Greece to complete the ongoing reform proposals to deepen decentralisation.

The rapporteurs, Tanja Joona (Finland, L, ILDG) and Katrien Partyka (Belgium, R, EPP/CCE) noted with satisfaction the extension of the Charter’s application to the regions, in line with previous Congress recommendations, and the progress in modernising the local government system. They also welcomed the national government’s intention to implement legal reforms despite facing economic difficulties. Inter-institutional dialogue between central and subnational authorities has improved, and appropriate legal mechanisms have been applied to ensure the protection of the Charter’s principles.

However, they raised several concerns regarding the limited powers of local self-governments, highlighting their lack of authority to adopt binding local regulations, and the unclear distribution of competences. Additionally, the rapporteurs expressed concern about the understaffing and insufficient financial resources of local and regional authorities, the weak fiscal autonomy of local authorities, and the national criminal legislation that hindered the free exercise of mayoral functions.

The Congress recommended that Greece clarify the allocation of competences between central and subnational authorities, grant local authorities the general power to adopt local regulations and ensure that local and regional revenues correspond to responsibilities. It also recommended enhancing local taxation powers to increase fiscal autonomy, and revising the current criminal legislation concerning the liability of mayors. Finally, the Congress recommended that Greece ratify the non-ratified articles of the Charter, as well as sign and ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority.

Addressing the session, Interior Minister of Greece Theodoros Livanios assured the Congress that Greece will consider ratifying the remaining articles of the Charter and the Additional Protocol, and presented his Ministry’s major project of preparing the new Unified Charter for Local and Regional Self-Government in Greece. “I firmly believe in strong and independent local and regional administration — with clear roles, specific responsibilities, and proper funding. Therefore, we are strongly committed to building a solid framework that gives every mayor and every governor the tools they need to serve effectively,” he said. The Minister also promised that the Congress will be invited to observe next local elections in Greece.