The mayor of Athens and Vice President of the PES group in the European Commission of the Regions participated in the Council of Socialist International, which took place in Constantinople. At a special meeting, which was also attended by the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozgiouzel, the president of Spain’s Socialist International and Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, presented the opening of the Networking and Regional Authorities.

In his speech the Harris Dukeas a representative of PES, he pointed out: “Cities, neighborhoods, the institution of self -government are a privileged space. They can meet and cooperate with many different population groups, they can meet political forces with minor or even bigger differences in the central political scene. It is a place that are tested perceptions and positions on “applied policy” issues. Local government, the basic decentralized power, has a great advantage, which is also a great difficulty and challenge. The proximity to the citizen does not allow great narratives, vague promises of transformation, cannot put the future on waiting. In the field of self -government and cities, political practice is everyday and is the daily lives of our citizens. “

Concluding his speech, Haris Doukas thanked Pedros Sanchez and the Socialist International, “you remind us that politics must inspire hope. The new network of local and regional authorities embodies this hope and provides a space for meaningful action. “