Europe life and my experience as a city councilman
Although I’ve always been interested in politics. With that said, I consider myself a rather active member of my community. I’ve never really ever thought about being a participant myself in any kind of election, either on a local or a national level.
To tell you the truth; all this situation in the last few years of the recession; and the economic crisis in Greece have negatively affected my mood and attitude towards political parties. Along with the political system in my country. Nevertheless, I’ve also always made a distinction about politics in a national and a local level; eg the city I live in. Not really ever considered that one is so closely connected and dependent on each other.
Well, to get to the point… About two years ago a really good friend of mine from school approached me. He told me that he; and some other people we both knew in our city; would take part in the municipal elections that were getting close. Since he knows that I was an active person and really popular in our city; he thought that I should join this effort. As well as be a candidate member of the city council myself.
A success story of the regional elections in Europe
At first I thought that he was joking. But as we got into more details; I understood that he was really serious about it; and really started to like the idea. My city has been experiencing many unsolved problems in the last few years. That could be a chance to try to help solve them from an official position. Or just try to understand how things work. As well as how solutions could be found.
In short we took part in the local elections as an independent party of people; who have not been part of any political party in the past. Our success was great. This was because we came 3rd in votes with about 22% of total votes. That’s really not bad for a first time; isn’t it?
Three more people from my party and I, were elected as members of the city council. We started to take part in council sessions. We also tried to help as much as possible our city. HowWe were not just opposing the mayor; and still do the same. When we thought he was right, we supported his decisions. When we thought he was wrong we objected to them. Fortunately, he is rather open-minded; so he has even accepted our opinion. He has made changes we proposed on several occasions.
However. I think this is very positive for our city; and in a short while many problems have been solved. Or at least we have started working on them. I think that this is not something we see today on a national level in Greece. The government is always at a constant and futile conflict with all the other political parties in the parliament. That does not get the country nowhere. There’s really no cooperation on any level.
So many things to be done in the society of Europe
To tell you the truth; I’m very excited with what we are trying to do in the city. It’s not a full time job for me. But I manage to save a lot of time; and be involved with anything that has to do with the city. The biggest problem of course is money. The city has been paying for money it has got as a loan in the past. The crisis is affecting us.
Therefore, no available funds found easily; even for top priority matters. The main concern, is to support the people; who have been hired tiwork for the city.
The city has managed to make some more money; by better managing a couple of city services that are profitable. Although it cannot afford big size projects; which are costly yet; it can at least support itself. As well as pay its debt; and make city employees and their families feel safe. Nonetheless, I can tell you that It’s really a big deal. This is because in other similar situations. Even at neighboring cities; things have gone out of track. It’s also very difficult to manage the situation.
Be that as it may; I believe that things for our city located in Europe will get even better in the near future. This is because the city council has capable people that care for the place they live in. I don’t regret deciding to follow this way.
