Diakomichalis Launches Fierce Attack on Mastrokoukos Over €8.885 Million Project Package
Dimitris Diakomichalis, municipal councillor and leader of the “Kalymnos Dynami Prooptikis” opposition group, has launched a strongly worded attack on Mayor of Kalymnos Ioannis Mastrokoukos over funding for the redevelopment of Pothia port’s waterfront.
In a press release issued today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Diakomichalis claimed political and planning credit for the project, arguing that it formed part of a proposal submitted by the previous municipal administration in September 2023.
His statement followed an announcement by South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos confirming €5.58 million in funding through the 2021-2027 NSRF programme for the redevelopment of Pothia’s coastal frontage.
According to Diakomichalis, the proposal was submitted on September 15, 2023, after months of preparation and cooperation with the office of Iakovos Gryllis, while also drawing on the expertise of Kalymnos-based professionals.
He stated that the proposal was approved one year later through a decision by the Regional Governor, under protocol number 2534/23-9-2024. He added that the entire package of projects included in the Municipality of Kalymnos’ “Pothia-Chora” Sustainable Urban Development Strategy has a total budget of €8.885 million.
The redevelopment of Pothia port’s waterfront is one of the projects included in that package, according to his statement.
The opposition leader accused Mayor Mastrokoukos of failing to acknowledge the previous administration’s contribution to preparing the projects and securing their inclusion in funding programmes
He also announced that he intends to hold an interview with local media in the coming days, during which he will present all the projects that, according to his account, were proposed, approved and secured €8.885 million in funding under his administration.
Diakomichalis publicly thanked Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos for referring to the previous municipal administration’s efforts to secure the proposal’s inclusion in the programme.
“If we had not managed to submit a complete application in September 2023, Kalymnos would not have entered the programme,” Diakomichalis stressed, calling on the Mayor to publicly acknowledge what he described as the true origin of the projects.
The forceful statement confirms that the announcement of major funding for Pothia has opened a new round of political confrontation over who designed, prepared and ultimately secured approval for the project.
