Eleven days after resigning as deputy mayor, Filippos Argyros announced today, Sunday 20 September, the reasons why he left the administration of the Municipality of Spata–Artemida. On the same day, the mayor, Dimitris Markou, responded publicly, point by point. This is the first time that the reasons for the rift have been set out publicly by both sides, and the bulk of the disagreement relates directly to Artemida.
Argyros submitted his resignation on 9 September (ref. no. 71469/09-09-2026). The mayor accepted it by his decision No. 669 and temporarily assumed the responsibilities previously held by the deputy mayor: planning and sustainable development, European programmes and funding, the regulation and licensing of businesses, and stray animals. The following day, 10 September, he announced that he was also leaving the ‘Aiming Together’ political group and would continue as an independent councillor.
In the text he published today, he lists five reasons.
Firstly, a model of governance that is entirely mayor-centred, with substantive decisions being taken, as he claims, by three or four individuals.
Secondly, the internal organisation of the departments: understaffing and three key departments—Urban Planning, Technical Services, Municipal Police— with no deputy mayor overseeing them, reporting directly to the mayor.
Thirdly, day-to-day life: cleanliness, lighting, water and green spaces. Regarding Artemida in particular, she writes that during the summer months the situation is ‘rather out of control’.
Fourthly, the new Local Town Planning Scheme, which, in his view, was taken forward without any meaningful involvement of local residents.
Fifth, the failure to implement a 14-point cooperation agreement that had been agreed prior to the 2023 elections and incorporated into the coalition’s manifesto — something he describes as ‘political inconsistency’. Drawing on his experience during his term in office, he writes that the worst part was political isolation.
The seven projects he refers to are familiar to anyone who lives here: an indoor swimming pool in Artemida, the upgrading of the harbour and marina, an environmental awareness park in Alykes, the regeneration of the seafront, the regeneration of Dexamene Hill, the extension of the cemetery and a sports park in Christoupoli.
The mayor’s response takes a different line: that proposing a project is fundamentally different from turning it into a fully-fledged, funded and viable project. He also provides a progress update.
- As regards the Artemida marina, the feasibility study has been completed and the project is currently at the licensing stage.
- The Christoupoli Sports Park is currently out to tender.
- Regarding the cemetery extension, following the failure to purchase the necessary properties, the municipality is moving towards compulsory purchase.
- The development of the seafront has been approved since 2022 but is currently stalled due to a dispute over its classification as forest land, with the municipality having lodged objections.
- Regarding Alykes, he notes that the land belongs to ETAD and has not been transferred to the municipality. Regarding the swimming pool, he asks where it will be built, at what cost, from what funding and —most importantly— with what funds it will be run each year.
- Regarding the stray animal shelter, he turns the argument on its head: since Argyros had the responsibility, why did he not carry it out himself?
What will change in practice for residents from today: Applications for business licences, European programmes and stray animals are currently being handled by the mayor’s office, until a new decision on the administrative structure is issued. The municipal council now has an independent councillor, a factor that counts in any vote where the majority is narrow. All seven projects agreed upon by the two sides remain on the table: the next tangible step is the tender for Christoupoli and the outcome of the objections regarding the designation of the coastal front as a forest area.
Source: public statements by Filippos Argyrou and Mayor Dimitris Markos, 20 September 2026; Mayor’s Decision No. 669/2026 accepting the resignation.
