Interior Minister Theodoros Livaniou announced a significant change in the way municipal fees are collected in Parliament during the vote on the new Local Government Code.
As he announced, starting January 1, 2028, municipal fees will no longer be collected through electricity bills and will be completely separated from the Public Power Corporation (DEI) and energy providers.
According to the minister, the new system will involve sending citizens an annual bill, which will be issued every January and will list the total amount of municipal fees.
The amount can be paid in 12 monthly installments, and a discount will be offered for lump-sum payments. A Presidential Decree is required to implement this measure, and it will be issued in the near future.
As Mr. Livaniou stated during the debate on the bill in Parliament, the government believes that this reform enhances the transparency and autonomy of municipalities, while forming part of the overall framework of changes introduced by the new Local Government Code. Mr. Livaniou spoke of a “unique opportunity to resolve problems that have persisted for decades,” noting that a legislative cycle is coming to a close and a new cycle of implementation is beginning.
However, the debate in Parliament turned into a fierce political confrontation. The opposition strongly criticized both the change in the electoral system for electing mayors and the issue of local authorities’ financial autonomy.
PASOK President Nikos Androulakis accused the government of “undermining democratic legitimacy” and pledged that, should national elections take place and PASOK assume power, “the new electoral law will not be implemented.”
On the government’s side, the minister responded that the previous system had reached its limits, with low turnout in the second round and delays in announcing results, arguing that the new process is clearer, faster, and more efficient.
The debate continued with the minor opposition parties, which complained that the new Code limits the role of municipal councils and excessively strengthens the powers of mayors.
Source: ertnews.gr