By Socratis Famellos, President of SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance
Published in Efimerida ton Syntakton
Read the original (GR)
The August wildfires have once again exposed the inadequacy of Mr. Mitsotakis’ so-called “executive state” and the country’s insufficient fire protection.
Every summer, the New Democracy government launches an impressive campaign full of promises, only for the entire narrative to collapse like a house of cards at the first outbreak of wildfires.
We are well aware that the climate crisis is increasing the demands on wildfire management. That is why a strong, capable state with a comprehensive plan is essential—one that can ensure resilience for society, the economy, and the environment.
Wildfire prevention, suppression, and recovery are all public policies, and it is precisely the government’s aversion to all things public that has led to its failure. Mr. Mitsotakis simply does not believe in public infrastructure.
New Democracy is incapable of guaranteeing the country’s safety against this growing threat—especially in Greece, which lies in a highly sensitive climate zone. This is because its priorities lie elsewhere: serving vested financial interests, misusing public funds, and securing partisan electoral gains.
But none of these address the problem of wildfires.
The government undermines and delays necessary reforms, even those that began under my tenure as Minister for the Environment and Energy, such as:
- The national forest strategy
- The wildfire prevention policy (including hiring forest protection workers)
- Completion of forest maps
- Reinforcement of the Fire Service with personnel
- Cooperation between the Forestry Service and the Fire Department
- Post-fire restoration measures
The August wildfires have once again underscored the urgent need for a broad, public resilience strategy.
SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance has already submitted a comprehensive public plan for the country’s resilience against forest fires, a danger that grows yearly due to the climate crisis.
1. Wildfire Prevention
Prevention is the most critical element. By reducing the size and frequency of wildfires, suppression becomes easier. To implement the 2019 national wildfire prevention policy, we need to:
- Reinforce forestry services with personnel, equipment, and funding
- Activate preventive forest protection programs
- Utilize the Goldammer Report (2019) as a key scientific tool
2. Fire Suppression
The Fire Department must be fully staffed and equipped. While the government frequently releases data on fire response resources, the truth is they are insufficient.
Thousands of contract firefighters remain outside the permanent structure of the Fire Service. When these individuals demand stable employment, the government responds with riot police and tear gas.
Fire suppression also requires region-specific plans, drafted during the winter months, tailored to local conditions. The lack of such planning and coordination was painfully evident during recent wildfires.
3. Support for Local Communities Post-Wildfires
Recovery in affected areas requires a strengthened Civil Protection framework—something that the current ministry, created for PR purposes, still lacks, including a basic organizational structure and staff.
Supporting local communities must include:
- Restoration of public infrastructure
- Emergency housing and dignified living conditions for the displaced
- Damage assessment with support for the Natural Disaster Recovery Service
- Full compensation for households, businesses, farms, livestock, and crops
- Funding for municipalities for restoration and safety works
- Suspension of foreclosures, tax, and social security obligations for those affected
- Support for farmers via localized ELGA compensation without preconditions and provision of feed for livestock
- Interest-free microloans to restart economic activity for businesses, professionals, and farmers
4. Environmental Restoration
Mega-fires leave deep scars that cannot be healed by corporate sponsorships or empty statements, as seen in Northern Evia. Restoration is the responsibility of the Forestry Service, which desperately needs more staff and resources.
Key restoration priorities, where the Mitsotakis government will be judged once again, include:
- Mapping and declaring all burned areas for mandatory reforestation and banning land-use changes
- Halting licensing and project approvals in burned areas. In protected Natura 2000 zones, land use and management post-fire must follow updated and stricter management plans
- Banning grazing and hunting in burned areas, with reinforced forestry inspections
- Implementing anti-erosion and flood prevention works led by the Forestry Service, involving local forest cooperatives
- Restoring forest ecosystems, prioritizing natural regeneration
- Monitoring restoration progress with public quarterly updates from the Forestry Service. All projects must be publicly funded, based on proper studies and supervision, without privatizing the restoration process
This integrated strategy for wildfire prevention, response, and post-disaster restoration is rooted in science and European best practices. It aims to reduce the environmental impact of wildfires, safeguard public health and quality of life, and protect local economies.
It is a core component of a progressive political agenda, one that requires a change in government.
The wildfires of this summer prove once again: this change is both urgent and necessary.
