The Elections for the Local Authorities (Administration)

The role and the competences of the local authorities (administration) in Greece unfortunately continue to be in a direct political and economic relation with the central political authorities (central power). The local authorities are connected to and depended on the central government without possessing the possibility for independent political and economical planning. This is due to the fact that the decisions for the implementation of the projects and the administration of the resources (especially for large projects) are decided from the bodies of the Ministries and the Regional authorities in a role of “intermediary”.

The general position of our party is that what is needed in our country, Greece, is a reformation of the model of the relations between the central government and local authorities with measures which will broaden to a maximum degree the political and economic independence of the local authorities. We believe that this is a necessary condition in order to achieve new planning. In the highest lever of the Regions the bodies must be elected and we must have Regional Parliaments. Also, we must broaden policy and the economical independence in the Regions without stifling control of the Central Government. The planning and the execution of the projects should be decided jointly by the Regions and the Prefectorial authorities as well as with the lowest body (Municipal Authorities). Furthermore there should be the institutionalisation of a district Council where all citizens can participate actively in politics.

The election of the Local Administration should be an opportunity for the participation of every citizen who is interested in the public good. We observe that in the past there has been a lack of quality candidates on party lists. The parties usually try to control the electoral lists for their own interests and often against the good of the community. Due to this, many citizens do not want to participate in the electoral process.

The Political Secretariat of EFA – Rainbow as regards the upcoming Prefectorial and Municipal elections decided not to participate with a separate or independent list, but it will participate with its candidates in electoral lists where cooperation is possible. Members of our party have already begun preparations for electoral combinations at the level of the Municipalities.

Once the lists have been finalized, EFA- Rainbow will announce its position in order to inform our voters about the combinations and the candidates who should be supported.