What awaits owners of unauthorized buildings

In the near future, possibly this week, it is expected that Yiannis Tsironis, Deputy Minister of the Environment from the Ecologist Greens, will reintroduce the amendment for the universal suspension of demolitions of unauthorized buildings in forest areas. The question, of course, is how this specific provision, which was submitted last Thursday and withdrawn under the weight of fierce reactions, will overcome the obstacle of unconstitutionality, since “the demolition of unauthorized structures is mandatory by law, regardless of whether the land is public or private,” according to the Council of State.

Why they will not be demolished arbitrarily

And although the Deputy Minister of the Environment himself accused the then government in 2011 (on the occasion of the regulation for the legalization of unauthorized buildings in exchange for financial compensation and the creation of an environmental balance) he is now preparing, together with the Minister of the Interior, P. Kouroumblis, to grant “amnesty” to the violators.

In this way, as judicial circles comment, the government is sending the message that arbitrary demolitions will not take place, because it is not acceptable for citizens to lose their homes when there are no forest maps.

Essentially, these are unauthorized buildings for which there are final court decisions for which demolition orders have been issued or are pending. This specific category of unauthorized buildings cannot be legalized under Law 4178, which has been extended until February 8, 2016. Thus, the largest number of unauthorized buildings, without serious violations, can be included in Law 4178, which provides, among other things, for the repayment of the prescribed fine in 60 monthly installments.

In other words, the Tsironis-Kouroumblis provision could be described as “photographic.” This is because it “freezes” demolition protocols until forest maps are drawn up (the completion of which is less than 1% complete), i.e. never, according to judicial circles quoted by Capital.gr.

The reason for this amendment is the numerous pending protocols for the demolition of illegal buildings throughout Greece. The problem seems to be more acute in Eastern Attica, particularly in Perivolakia, Rafina, where demolition has often been suspended “following coordinated efforts” by SYRIZA MP Giorgos Pantzas and local government officials, as noted by media outlets friendly to the government.

As a result, if the Tsironis-Kouroumblis amendment is passed, they will not be demolished arbitrarily. Undoubtedly, granting “immunity” to forest encroachers is a long-standing cross-party tactic, which, however, will be ratified by Parliament if and when the specific provision is voted on.

It should be noted that in Attica, most illegal buildings are located in the eastern part of the prefecture and on Salamina, while there are also a large number of illegal buildings in Heraklion, Crete, and Thessaloniki.