Corfu, December 10, 2025 – The Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands announced its participation in the nationwide mobilization initiated by the Hellenic Union of Municipalities (KEDE). As part of this action, Corfu Town Hall will be symbolically closed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, coinciding with the parliamentary vote on the 2026 state budget. Additionally, elected local government officials from Corfu will join a protest rally scheduled for 12:00 PM outside the Hellenic Parliament in Athens.
KEDE Demands: Stronger Municipalities for Citizens
Under the slogan “Economically Strong Municipalities, Constantly by the Citizen’s Side,” KEDE is advocating for a fundamental reform of the state and local government. This reform aims to establish administratively and financially autonomous municipalities, as enshrined in the Greek Constitution, within a new, decentralized model of state operation. KEDE argues that such a model would empower municipalities to provide immediate and practical solutions to citizens’ daily challenges, moving away from the current system that, they contend, relegates local government to managing a bleak reality.
Lazaros Kyritsoglou, President of KEDE, emphasized the significance of the upcoming mobilization: “The participation of all elected local government officials in the December 16th demonstration outside Parliament will send a strong message of unity and determination from first-tier local government to demand permanent and sustainable solutions to the major, long-standing problems plaguing the operation of municipalities across the country.”
Emergency General Assembly on December 17th
Following the protest, on Wednesday, December 17th, the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor for Spatial Planning, and the head of the major opposition party from Corfu will attend an Emergency General Assembly of KEDE. This assembly, focusing on “The New Code of Local Government,” will take place at the CARAVEL hotel and will be attended by the political leadership of the Ministry of Interior.
The closure of Corfu Town Hall and the participation in the protest underscore the growing frustration among local government bodies regarding their financial autonomy and operational capabilities. KEDE’s demands highlight a broader call for decentralization and increased resources to better serve local communities. The outcome of these protests and the subsequent discussions at the Emergency General Assembly are expected to significantly influence the future framework of local governance in Greece.
Source: https://www.kerkyrasimera.gr/kleisto-to-dimarcheio-k-kerkyras-tin-triti-symmetochi-stin-kinetopoiisi-tis-kede/
