Sources from Ministry of the Interior are launching an attack against the Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, against the backdrop of the debate over the responsibilities of the Building Services and the functioning of local government.
Government sources speak of the Mayor of Athens’ “complete ignorance” regarding the institutional framework, while arguing that the relevant provisions of the new Local Government Code and the Code of Urban Planning and Spatial Planning are clear.
As they note, the table of responsibilities, specifically under responsibility 6.2.1.8, explicitly states that “municipalities have the authority to implement the Urban Planning and Spatial Planning Code.” At the same time, they emphasize that Article 97A of the Kallikratis law remains in force, which regulates staffing issues for the Building Services.
“Study the Code or ask ChatGPT”
The same sources are raising the stakes even further against the Mayor of Athens, stating characteristically: “Once again, the Mayor of Athens has chosen to demonstrate his complete ignorance of local government. Once again, before referring to the Code, we recommend that he study (or at least ask ChatGPT).”
At the same time, they insist that the new legislative framework leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding the municipalities’ responsibilities.
What the new law provides for
According to the same sources, in the new Urban Planning – and Spatial Planning (Law 5306/2026), which was passed last week, Article 317 explicitly states:
“The competent authorities for issuing administrative acts related to the execution of construction works are the MUNICIPAL BUILDING DEPARTMENTS, unless otherwise specified by the relevant provisions.”
The comment from government sources concludes as follows: “We have the utmost respect for Haris Doukas as Mayor of Athens. It would be good if he, too, would finally respect the very important office he holds and which has been entrusted to him by the city’s residents.”
