The finances of the Municipalities were discussed by Anastasiadis-Galanos

Mr. Galanos stated that the cuts of 12 million make the further operation of the Municipalities very difficult, while the President of DISY expressed the opinion that the Parliament could vote on an additional budget.

The President of the Union of Municipalities said that at the meeting it was asked to show understanding regarding the 8%, about half of the total that was cut and concerns the cuts imposed by Parliament.

Mr. Galanos said that this amount is beyond the limit that the Government itself wanted to cut.

He said that Mr. Anastasiadis showed understanding, especially regarding the amount that was cut by the Parliament, adding that the issue is now expected to be discussed in the Finance Committee. He hoped the Commission would ask the Government to send an additional budget.

"The initially budgeted amount was 71 million and had to be increased due to large increases in electricity, loan repayments, etc., but instead 6 million were cut by the Government and later another 6 by the Parliament, so it is 60 million from the 71 million 300 thousand ", explained Mr. Galanos.

He added that the Municipalities have also increased from 33 to 39 and in addition there are cuts in operating expenses, saying that there will be redundancies if a large part of the amount is not restored.

The President of DISY spoke about a very creative meeting in which the problems of the Municipalities were explained, saying that the commitments of the Governments from time to time were to increase the sponsorship to 4% of the budgets and now we are at 1,7%, adding that In the context of economic reflection, the Parliament made a further cut from what the Government proposed.

"I believe that under the data and as analyzed by the Municipalities, in my opinion we need a courageous review of the decision by Parliament to see how we strengthen the effort of municipal development projects to create jobs and revitalize the economy" , he continued.

The President of DISY added that from the side of his party, he considers that "our position will be positive and - I believe in cooperation with the other forces we will have the same response - so that the Government is informed that the Parliament would be ready to restores or votes on a possible supplementary budget that will refer to 8%, ie the cuts of the Parliament ".

He added that what convinces the argument of the Municipalities is not only the fact that with the cut they are deprived of the prospect of creating projects, but also the increased costs as a result of the increase of electricity, loss of revenue due to the crisis resulting in multiplying and the problems.

Source: Cyprus News Agency