We want a Local Government, which can stand on its own two feet, just like our effort and not be a problematic reform effort from the first day, said on Thursday the Minister of Interior Nikos Nouris. He also said that it is not the intention of the Government to withdraw bills or to cancel this huge effort.
In his statements on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Drousia, Mr. Nouris stated that the Government together with the Parliamentary Parties since last September asked the citizens for understanding. They made, he continued, a difficult decision regarding the postponement of the Local Government elections with the main criterion and goal to be able to complete the discussion, to pass the bills and to give a two-year schedule which will implement the new model of Local Government.
He also pointed out that a lot of road was traveled, since as he explained, out of the approximately 77 pending issues that existed last September, now it is 2.
I really believe, he continued, "that we have achieved what was our initial goal", adding that "Right now, the decision is up to the House of Representatives."
He added that the Government clarified regarding the issues of mergers, that "we are not dogmatic in numbers and we have proved it clearly".
Studies were conducted on the basis of technocratic criteria and the study showed that a scenario of 14 new entities could be a very good choice. Through discussions that took place at the level of Government and parties, Mr. Nouris continued, they came to a final scenario which we submitted to Parliament in 2020 and concerns the creation of 17 new entities.
We have, he said, explained both orally - exhaustively I dare say - and in writing that for the Government this is the maximum number it could accept "Because we simply believe that from then on the viability of specific entities is jeopardized and possibly of course the reform itself as a whole."
The Minister of Interior said that those who will decide are the Parliamentary Parties, noting that "What else is written are positions that may be heard by some who are concerned."
He also reiterated that for the Government this is the proposal, clarifying at the same time that it is not in their intentions, neither to withdraw bills, nor to cancel this huge effort. But at the same time, he continued "We rang the bell that we can not make any reform in the name of reform." It is our duty, he added, to point out what we consider to be right.
He also said that he additionally took care to submit to the Parliament A letter sent to him last week by the Directorate-General for European Programs, Coordination and Development states that the EU is monitoring and commenting on the issue, affecting the Recovery Fund and the possible disbursement of TA funds.
The Minister of Interior will be called upon at the end of the process to justify to the EU any result, he said, noting that our positions could not be clearer.