Crete: Androulaki’s visit to Arkalochori in Heraklion

“Unfortunately, the ND ignores the real problems and for everything the answer is 41%. May the Greek people give them a clear message. So far in the parade of arrogance and indifference of the government and the system of power of Mr. Mitsotakis”, said the president of PASOK-Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis, who continuing his tour in Crete today evisited Arkalochori.

“June 9 is an excellent opportunity for the Greek people to send a message of disapproval for the magnitude of the accuracy, the collapse of the National Social Security System, for the degradation of the three levels of public education, for the enormous creation of problems that exist in relation to the Recovery Fund , where a few take out loans and not small and medium-sized businesses”, noted Mr. Androulakis, stressing that “every vote for PASOK-KINAL is a vote for the faction that wants a single foreign policy, a European army and permanent funds that will reduce the disparities between states and societies”.

“I ask for the trust of the Greek people to fight at both national and European level to improve their lives”, he pointed out during his visit to Arkalochori where he spoke with citizens in the market.

The president of PASOK-KINAL also visited the town hall where he held a meeting with the mayor, municipal officials, local bodies, as well as the president and members of the Association of Earthquake Victims Minoa Pediados “Hope”.

The mayor of Minoa Pediados, Vassilis Kegeroglou, welcomed Mr. Androulakis to his place of origin, saying that the region after the 2021 earthquake is still facing serious problems. Mr. Keggeroglou underlined that of the eight and a half thousand buildings that were checked, five thousand have been marked yellow and red, and commented that although advance payments have been given to the beneficiaries, the number of repair and reconstruction permits that have proceeded “shows the nakedness” of what regarding support and measures from the state. “Three thousand files have been filed and only 100 permits have been given,” said Mr. Kegeroglou, adding that until today 160 families live in shanties and another 160 in houses marked yellow and red. “There is no reconstruction plan and no unified coordination”, noted the mayor Minoas Pediados, who also referred to issues of development of the area that must proceed, related to the new international airport of Heraklion in Kasteli.

The president of the Minoa Pediados Association of Earthquake Victims “I Elpida”, Kostas Gadatsios, asked Mr. Androulakis for the support of the earthquake victims, based on the need for pressure – as he said – on the state, in order to take substantial measures through which they will be helped earthquake victims, simplifying permit procedures, and addressing the issue of foreclosures and auctions, which “continue even in earthquake-damaged houses.”

“Three years after the devastating earthquake, Arkalochori is experiencing the indifference, abandonment and arrogance of the ND government”, stressed the president of PASOK-KINAL to add: “We are also here in parliament to stand by the residents with their questions us, with our effort to highlight the issue, because we believe that in Arkalochori there is a very great injustice. A huge injustice that must be faced by the current government”.

“They cannot escape”, he pointed out, emphasizing that “there are similar problems in other earthquake-affected regions of Greece” and that in the year 2024 “the state must undertake restoration initiatives and not be indifferent in the face of such serious situations”.

In the afternoon, Mr. Androulakis will tour St. Ten and he will meet with the mayor of Gortyna, Michalis Kokolakis. At 19:30 he will speak at Moires, in Town Hall Square, and then he will meet with the mayor, Grigoris Nikolidakis.