On March 1, a multi-legislative bill was introduced in Parliament and quickly went through a committee process, prompting strong reactions to its various provisions, in particular those relating to environmental protection and spatial planning. I had the opportunity to comment to “K” that at the first reading, the bill seemed to make derogations in two critical areas – the permitted use of land in protected areas and development outside the plan. It is significant that I referred to Articles 179 and 253 of the draft law, since the former created a visible risk of weakening the protection of areas that were identified as protected, such as the Natura territories, and the latter made it easier to change the boundaries of settlements through the process. “corrections” of the corresponding “bugs”.

I note that the second paragraph of Article 253 also presents problems, as it can lead to the expansion of unplanned development by expanding the network of public municipal roads before the issuance of the relevant presidential decree. Therefore, yesterday’s announcement that articles 178-181 and articles 253 parts 1 and 2 are being repealed with the intervention of the Prime Minister is particularly positive, provisions that many other speakers have also described as problematic. It would be desirable if the Prime Minister’s intervention signaled a more general vigilance and mobilization to protect the environment. I also appreciate that the withdrawal of the above articles also indicates the recognition of the usefulness of broad and public consultations on environmental legislation – civil society is becoming more active in our country, which was also shown by the mobilization of environmental organizations against the draft law with its original content. These organizations accumulate significant scientific knowledge and experience and can make a particularly significant contribution to the legislative process.

Perhaps the removal of the disputed articles could, as a gesture of goodwill and an indication of positive intentions, create the conditions for a productive exchange of positions and opinions with the ultimate goal of closer cooperation between state bodies and civil society. Replacing conflict with cooperation will certainly benefit the country we inherited and must protect and care for together.

* Mr. Stathis Potamitis is a lawyer from Athens.