Leros: Michalis Kolias against all – His remarks on the Mayor’s and Municipal Authority’s Press Conference
Press Release – Once again, Mayor Kottakis and his associates, putting on yet another theatrical performance, attempt to distort the truth. They appear to accuse the opposition party leader and members of our political group of allegedly seeking, through our vote against the budget revision, to obstruct the progress and development projects of the island.
This attack is being carried out, as usual, with the assistance of two local journalists who act as crutches of the new municipal authority, for their own reasons… attempting by every possible means to convince the society of Leros that the truth is whatever they present it to be. I remind you that these particular journalists are prosecution witnesses in pending legal cases against me, with everything that implies…
The reality, however, is entirely different: Our decision not to support the budget revision was fully substantiated.
We requested, and continue to request, that the projects be included in a separate revision, clearly distinct from hundreds of thousands of euros in direct awards, mainly for consultancy services. This combination raises serious concerns regarding transparency and legality, which may also lead to financial penalties in the event of audits.
It has become evident that Mr Kottakis’s main objective is not the promotion of development, but rather the nullification of the work of the previous municipal authority.
- That work includes important interventions such as:
- The connection of the Reception and Identification Centre to the biological treatment system,
- The scheduling of sewerage connections in Xirokampos, Lepida and Temenia,
- The reinforcement and maintenance of the desalination network,
- And many other infrastructure projects which secured funding, studies, and a long-term development outlook for our island.
It is clear that his true aim is the political and moral undermining of the opposition, through statements that praise former members who have become independent, in the hope that others may follow. Unfortunately for him, he is gravely mistaken. Democracy cannot exist without a strong opposition. We shall continue to represent, with responsibility and consistency, the citizens who placed their trust in us, and we will be judged by Leros society at the ballot box, not through slander or personal attacks.
Leros island cannot move forward so long as, two years after the new municipal authority took office, their only “political” strategy is the ongoing attack on the former mayor and current opposition leader, Michalis Kolias, and members of our group.
The people of Leros demand projects, transparency, and cooperation, not theatre and mudslinging.
On behalf of the political party
“Leros with Vision and a Plan for All”
