Thoma Begkas, the Mayor of Ioannina, stressed the dire financial situation facing Greek municipalities, calling for a unified stance among mayors to address the crisis. He warned that without solutions from the 2025 budget, protests may ensue. Begkas criticized a proposed funding model reliant on municipal utility resources for water projects, deeming it unrealistic. He also highlighted the importance of the newly signed Local Urban Planning Scheme contract, which aims to resolve significant spatial planning issues and set development strategies for the future.