New Criticism from ND MPs: Many Municipalities Excluded from Unemployment Program

On the day the ND Parliamentary Group convened, 11 ‘blue’ MPs submitted questions to the Ministries of Labor, Economy, and Internal Affairs. In their query, the ND MPs criticized a DYPA program that excluded many municipalities across the country. The MPs involved include Fotini Arampatzi, Thodoros Karaoglou, Evripidis Stylianidis, Maximus Harakopoulos, Giannis Andrianos, Simos Kedikoglou, Manos Konsonas, Miltiades Chrysomallos, Andreas Katsaniotis, Anastasios Bartzokas, and Georgios Vlachos. They highlighted significant reactions and disappointment among the majority of municipalities that were left out of the highly anticipated employment program for unemployed individuals aged 55+ years. The platform of DYPA was reportedly closed for the 6,000 available job positions. Meanwhile, in a press release dated March 28, 2025, the DYPA Administrator celebrated the oversubscription of the 6,000 positions within two weeks, effectively excluding most municipalities from what was supposed to be a relief program addressing daily issues and social cohesion. Information suggests that two-thirds of the municipalities were excluded, with only 3,800 out of the total 6,000 positions covered by local government. The MPs asked whether there would be an immediate redesign of the program with a substantial increase in beneficiaries and how many municipalities managed to submit applications by March 28, 2025. They also questioned why no cap was set for available positions based on the 15% of permanent staff per municipality, which could have been redistributed if not claimed.