Through a long ad titled “Fake news SYRIZA about “privatization of water”, New Democracy responds to SYRIZA on the adoption of a new law regarding water supply. It is noted that the press SYRIZA in her statement, she stated that “plans for the privatization of water are being completed on May 21.”

In its statement, the ND mentions, among other things, that “the government is protecting the public nature of water and is strengthening controls and safety valves in terms of quality and preventing waste of this public good.”

New Democracy Announcement in Detail

“Fake news SYRIZA about “privatization of water”

1. “Government privatizes water”

This is a non-existent lie. The government is doing just the opposite: with Law 5037/2023, it protects the public nature of water and strengthens the mechanisms for supervision and insurance in terms of the quality and prevention of waste of this public good.

From the very beginning we made it clear at every level that water was, is and will remain under public control.

But for the first time in a law introduced by the Government with Article 1 of the Explanatory Note and Article 3 of the draft law, the public nature of water suppliers is protected.

2. “Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the privatization of water”

In SYRIZA, they have an unparalleled penchant for lies and baseless propaganda. Even after the Prime Minister’s categorical refutation, they continue to pour mud and fake news.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in response to a question received on March 24 in Brussels, explained that water has not been privatized.

In particular, he said: “I categorically assure you that there can be absolutely no question of privatizing water, which was, is and will remain public property.”

And I’m really wondering if we will continue to go to the polls in an unacceptable environment of fake news. The government has repeatedly explained why it is strengthening the Energy Regulatory Authority with water-related powers. This has absolutely nothing to do with the possible privatization of water, which I must tell you right away, I reject.

So don’t ask me, because the government’s position is clear. Ask all those who are still reproducing this fake news, which you are clearly giving me the opportunity to debunk even today, at my level.”

3. “The government of Tsipras ensured the public nature of the water”

The reality is that the government of Alexis Tsipras, by Law 4389/2016, has transferred all shares of the ownership of EYDAP and EYATH (Exhibit D’, Article 197) to Hellenic Holdings and Property Company (EESYP), also known as the Superfund. In fact, that is, he laid the water for 99 years.

4. “Government regulation opens doors for privatization”

The main purpose of the regulation introduced by the Government is to ensure transparency and accountability. We must ensure low prices and legal pricing of water, and its quality must be measured systematically and in accordance with European directives.

In addition, in many European countries where water is managed by public authorities, there are independent regulators. Market regulation is needed not only to regulate competition between individuals. We need and are creating strong government agencies for water management.

The opposition opposes a functional and modern management system through the National Strategy for the Protection and Management of Surface and Ground Waters. In essence, this is again against the interests of citizens, since we are promoting the conditions of equal access, security of supply and saving water. In short, more and better water for citizens.

What pathogens does this particular regimen correct?

-Large fragmentation of water services across multiple providers (295 at the moment).

– Lack of control over the financial data of water service providers and major cost centers.

– Insufficient amount of data: only 42% of organizations systematically submit legally required data to the system platform.

– Discrepancy in the degree of cost recovery for water supply and sanitation services. The cost recovery rate of water and sanitation service providers, with the exception of EYDAP-EYATH, which are more organized, ranges from 21% to 202%. In 2019, the overall level of supplier losses reaches 62%, and on average we have losses of 35.6% when it comes to drinking water. There are TWO who claim that the water loss is 65%.

– Lack of systematic mapping of the state of the water supply and sewerage network, in order to prioritize the required projects.

– Absence of sanctions in case of non-compliance with the rules of calculation and billing for water services.

With information from APE-MPE