Vyras accuses Government of stinginess over municipal funding

Economy governmentTop Newsunions Vyras accuses Government of stinginess over municipal funding Relevant News Defence Minister, National Guard chief apologise over Kalo Chorio firing range fire 31 July 2026 Vyras accuses Government of stinginess over municipal funding 31 July 2026 Sooshi Mango bring ‘Home Made World Tour’ to Nicosia 31 July 2026 newsroom 31 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Union of Municipalities president Andreas Vyras has implicitly accused the Government of stinginess. Speaking at a press conference, he pointed out that state tax revenue rose from €4.65 billion in 2010 to €10.8 billion in 2024, while state funding to municipalities remained essentially stagnant. At the same time, according to Vyras, funding per resident fell from €188.35 in 2010 to around €155 today, despite municipalities taking on significantly increased responsibilities, merging with 63 communities, and taking on new financial and operational duties. Vyras said new municipal councils are even being threatened with criminal proceedings over debts they did not create. He explained that while the state previously turned a blind eye and did not vigorously pursue these debts from community councils, such as €34.1 million from the Water Development Department, it is now demanding them from the new municipalities in the harshest possible way. Vyras pointed out that the €117 million agreed in 2019 has lost a significant part of its real value due to inflation, with its adjusted value today approaching €139 million, without factoring in the additional needs created by the reform. The Union of Municipalities president stressed that local government reform is a necessary and important institutional change, but said its success depends on adequate and fair funding. He also argued that when the state transfers responsibilities without the corresponding financial resources, either services to citizens are curtailed or there is an attempt to shift the cost onto residents. “We will not allow this,” he said. Vyras reiterated that the Union of Municipalities’ position remains firmly in favour of enshrining state funding as a fixed percentage of the state budget, in line with the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the practices applied in most European countries. He also said municipalities are not seeking privileges or special treatment, but are claiming the resources that correspond to the responsibilities transferred to them. He added that state funding is not an expense but an investment in local communities, in the functioning of municipalities, and in citizens’ quality of life. Vyras described the Government’s proposal to increase the immovable property fee as unthinkable, and concluded: “Residents will not pay the cost of the reform.” Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Defence Minister, National Guard chief apologise over Kalo Chorio firing range fire Sooshi Mango bring ‘Home Made World Tour’ to Nicosia Police arrest 20-year-old over Limassol stabbing Xylophagou’s father request to travel to Bulgaria for children’s funeral delayed Unverified video shows Beitar fans attacking AEK supporter, days on from Larnaca clash Larnaca joins 2026 stray cat sterilisation scheme Hi-tech justice: now with a live connection… to a prison Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.