“Social cohesion is not a parody, and loud absence is not neutrality – it is indifference toward society’s concerns.”
“Kalymnos deserves institutions that serve it in practice, not abandon it when society needs them most.”
The extraordinary meeting of the Kalymnos Municipal Council, held last night with the sole topic being the case of fellow citizen Giannis Chalikos, marked one of the most critical and meaningful institutional moments for the island in recent years. The session emphasized the importance of social cohesion, employment protection, and institutional responsibility toward the local community.
The Municipal Council did not seek to replace the role of the judiciary, as some have misleadingly claimed. Rather, the Municipal Authority made the obvious and responsible choice: to stand firmly and actively in support of Giannis Chalikos, a long-standing benefactor and supporter of Kalymnos. It also called on the Council to stand by the workers and families who face the risk of losing their jobs should certain key local businesses shut down.
The strong presence of workers at the meeting left no room for misinterpretation. The issue was not personal or political — it was and remains deeply social, concerning the dignity of labor, local cohesion, and the expectation that institutions will not turn their backs on citizens in times of need.
However, the notable absence of the main opposition groups led by Mr. Galouzis and Mr. Diakomichalis was strongly condemned. Their decision to boycott a meeting directly related to the local economy and the livelihood of dozens of families cannot be seen as neutrality, but rather as a deliberate disengagement from social responsibility — a serious institutional shortfall, disconnected from the community’s real struggles.
Even more troubling was the stance of minority opposition leader Mr. Giorgos Mavros, who chose to call the session a “parody” in what was described as a ranting monologue, continuing a pattern of divisive rhetoric. His walkout underscored a refusal to engage in a respectful and serious dialogue at a time of great concern for workers and families.
Such statements do not harm the Municipal Authority — they undermine the institution of the Municipal Council and, above all, harm the citizens it represents. They weaken the principle of collective responsibility and reduce the opposition’s role as a constructive force of oversight.
The Municipal Authority and majority councilors once again honored the trust of the Kalymnian people and reaffirmed their commitment to approach every issue with responsibility, calmness, and institutional integrity. In times of crisis, like this one, the real choice is not between government and opposition — it is between responsibility and absence.
Social cohesion is not a slogan.
It is not a tool for political confrontation.
It is a responsibility.
— Office of the Mayor of Kalymnos
Department of Communications & Public Relations
