Greek opposition leaders criticize government over wildfire response

Greek opposition leaders have visited western Attica and Boeotia, regions devastated by recent fires, to criticize the government's handling of the crisis. The visits come as the country grapples with the aftermath of significant blazes that have caused loss of life and widespread agricultural damage.

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We see a crime being repeated again and again and we hear the same miserable words, the same miserable excuses from the current government, continuing from previous ones.

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), toured affected areas and accused the government of repeating the same "miserable words and excuses" seen in previous disasters. He stated that the KKE had repeatedly warned about the dangers, particularly in the fire-prone regions.

Nikos Androulakis, leader of PASOK, also visited fire-stricken areas in Boeotia, where olive groves, a key source of income for locals, suffered extensive damage. Androulakis acknowledged the reality of the climate crisis but argued it should not be used as a pretext for the government's shortcomings in state preparedness, prevention, and rapid intervention.

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The climate crisis is here. It cannot be an excuse. Unfortunately, many times the government argues as if climate change has just arrived. It has been here for years. It cannot be an excuse for the weaknesses in the preparation of the state mechanism – where many issues arise – in prevention and in quick intervention in such cases.

Androulakis also raised concerns about the state of the Fire Service, describing it as "aged" and calling for support for firefighters. He emphasized the need for modernization of the state apparatus. While stating that it is not the time for "cheap confrontations," he questioned the aerial coordination responsibilities and protocols during the simultaneous operation at Psatha.

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The Fire Service is an aged service. We must support our firefighters. They go to work in the morning and do not know if they will return.

The article also briefly mentions a meeting of the Turkish Armed Forces' Supreme Military Council presided over by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, involving personnel changes within the Turkish military, including the replacement of the Air Force commander.

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Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families of our five fellow human beings, who lost their lives in an unjust and tragic way, fighting in the flames. It is not the time for cheap confrontations.