Trade unions support mayors' protest against local government funding issues

Trade unions SIDHEK-PEO and OHO-SEK have expressed their support for a protest organized by mayors and the Union of Municipalities, scheduled for August 3, 2026. The unions cited deep concern regarding the financial difficulties currently facing local authorities across the region.

In a joint statement, the unions urged the government to initiate a substantive dialogue to establish long-term financial stability for municipalities. They explicitly opposed any measures that would shift the financial burden of these deficits onto citizens, such as increasing local fees or taxation. The unions argue that the government has a fundamental obligation to support local governance, citing the core philosophy of the administrative reform implemented in July 2024. That reform aimed to merge municipalities and secure their economic and administrative autonomy, enabling them to provide improved services to residents at minimal cost.

As the protest date approaches, the situation remains unresolved. The unions are pushing for structural government support rather than stop-gap financial measures, emphasizing that local government bodies must remain equipped to address the immediate needs of their communities.