A SYRIZA-PS delegation led by Organisational Secretary Giannis Boulekos visited the fire-stricken West Attica areas of Vilia and Porto Germeno. During the visit, the delegation met with Mandra-Eidyllia Mayor Armodios Drikos and spoke with firefighters, congratulating them on their valuable and heroic efforts on the fire fronts.
The party officials also spoke with local residents to hear their problems and needs. SYRIZA-PS promised to stand by the residents and demand immediate, substantial support for affected communities. The delegation announced plans to visit the municipality of Megara after completing its stop in Mandra-Eidyllia.
Speaking after the visit, Boulekos said visitors could see the destructive results of both the fires and government policy choices. He said fire prevention requires a national policy and noted that fires cannot be fought only during the summer.
Funding and Prevention Demands
Boulekos noted that the government allocated 400,000 euros to Mandra-Eidyllia for fire season preparation just 45 days before the season began. He said Mandra-Eidyllia is perhaps the largest municipality by area in Attica, covering roughly 400 million square meters.
He said New Democracy choices served specific interests instead of strengthening firefighting, forestry services, and prevention. He said those choices resulted in burned homes, burned properties, destroyed forests, and desertification within Attica.
Boulekos called on the government to cover 100 percent of damage costs for affected citizens immediately and without delay. He noted that victims of wildfires from 2021 and 2024 have still not received compensation.
National Policy Proposals
Boulekos called on the government to open an immediate national dialogue on firefighting and peri-urban forests. He said firefighting is a national priority that requires a unified national policy.
He also urged the government to implement the Goldammer report, which was originally introduced by the SYRIZA administration. He called for bringing the report to Parliament for consultation so it can be enacted into Greek law.
