The need for the government to take bold decisions for the formation of a metropolitan, decentralized model of governance, with the Regions having a primary role in the formulation of policies based on spatial criteria, but also in its institutional consolidation through the extensive self-government reform promoted recently, was mentioned by the Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Chardalias during his speech yesterday, in the context of the work of the OTA EXPO 2026 exhibition.

Mr. Chardalias stressed that Local Government is at a critical juncture, during which Municipalities and Regions are called upon to prove in practice their potential. In this context, he developed the position of Attica Region in favor of Metropolitan Governance, noting that “the country needs a new model of governance, free from the mistakes and anchors of the past” stressing that “Metropolitanism is the next necessary step if we want a more effective governance.”

Referring to the institutional changes underway, Chardalias insisted on the need to correct past political decisions, which involved the transfer of powers from local government to the state, resulting in ineffective responses to problems of local communities: “It was a mistake to abolish the Athens Regulatory Plan and Environmental Protection Agency in 2014 and even bigger to abolish the Metropolitan Planning Council in 2024,” he said:

“In addition, the city of Kyiv will be the first city to be built in the future.
“It is not possible that the Central Council for Urban Planning Issues and Disputes of the Ministry of Environmental Protection is responsible for the major problems of the basin. Attica needs a metropolitan management body for the major problems faced by its citizens. And the government must dare to do so.”

The Regional Governor explained that modern challenges, such as traffic, civil protection, dealing with the consequences of the climate crisis, waste management, strengthening infrastructure and improving road safety, require integrated planning, clear responsibilities, adequate resources and new institutional tools. “We cannot respond to the challenges of the future using yesterday’s tools,” he said.

He particularly emphasized the need to strengthen the institutional role of the local government, clarifying that the relevant claim does not concern the concentration of powers, but the more effective service to citizens. “We do not want to become caliphs in the place of the caliph. We are not claiming more officiating and titles. We don’t care about the title written under our chair. What we are claiming is meaningful opportunities to be more useful and more effective,”
he noted.

On the vital importance of European resources, the Regional Governor underlined the special symbolism of the choice of the Athens Conservatory to host the event, noting that it is an emblematic cultural space, the renovation of which was funded through ESPAfrom the Attica Regional Program.

As he noted, “this project is a prime example of the potential of the Regions when they combine vision, proper planning and effective use of available financial tools.”

In fact, Mr.Chardalias made special reference to the public dialogue that has been opened in the European institutions in view of the new management period of the NSRF 2028 – 2034, underlining the need to maintain the relevant Regional and Sectoral Programmes, with the European Regions having an enhanced role in the formulation and implementation of policies related to local issues.

“Flexibility, immediacy and, most importantly, effectiveness will be judged not by moods and intentions, but by practice. We expect by September to have a clear position and to initiate developments long before final decisions are taken,” he noted.

At the same time, he referred to the plan of 300+1 projects and 50 interventions implemented by the Attica Region throughout the Attica Basin, stressing that these are projects with specific timetables, secured resources and constant accountability to citizens. As he pointed out, most of the programming for the period 2024-2028 has already been launched, while almost 60% of the programme’s flood protection projects (55 projects and nine interventions) are in the implementation phase.

Fifty-five of the projects have been completed and more than 55 projects are in progress.
Concluding his speech, Mr.Chardalias announced the public account of the work of the Region in mid-July, stressing that the administration of the Region remains committed to its commitments to citizens.

“We will present projects, actions and programs that prove that we keep our word and put our commitments into practice. We are changing Attica with work, we are laying strong foundations for a greener, more sustainable, more resilient, more human Attica”, concluded the Regional Governor.