KALLIKRATIS PLAN Meaning and
Definition
-
The "Kallikratis plan" is a term used to refer to a specific administrative reform implemented in Greece in 2010. The plan sought to restructure the country's local government system by establishing a unified and more efficient administrative framework. The word "Kallikratis" is derived from the Greek words "καλλικρατής" (kallikratēs) which means beautiful power or authority, and "πλάνο" (plano) which means a plan.
Under the Kallikratis plan, Greece's previous complex system of local government was simplified and decentralized. The reform aimed at strengthening local authorities, enhancing their effectiveness and responsiveness, and promoting better coordination and cooperation among them. The plan involved the reduction of administrative units from over 1,000 to approximately 350, through mergers and the creation of new municipalities. It also aimed at aligning the boundaries of administrative regions with the boundaries of the country's peripheries.
The Kallikratis plan had a significant impact on Greece's governance structure, as it shifted power and responsibilities from the central government to the newly formed municipalities and regions. It sought to improve public services at the local level, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, with the aim of enhancing citizens' quality of life and economic development.
Overall, the Kallikratis plan can be seen as a comprehensive administrative reform strategy aiming at decentralization, efficiency, and better governance in Greece.
Etymology of KALLIKRATIS PLAN
The term "Kallikratis plan" is derived from the Greek words "κάλλος" (kállos), meaning "beauty", and "κράτος" (krátos), which translates to "power" or "rule". The word "plan" remains the same in both Greek and English. The term was coined in reference to the administrative reform implemented in Greece in 2011, known as the "Kallikratis reform" or "Kallikratis plan". The reform aimed to restructure and decentralize the country's administrative divisions, including municipalities and regions. It was named after the Greek politician and statesman Kallikratis, who served as the Minister of Interior at the time and spearheaded the reform.
