![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.ekathimerini.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/foroum_kathimerini_1-1080x607-1-1-320x200.jpg?v=1743104504\")
President of the Council of State Michalis Pikramenos expressed his concern over the degradation of public spaces during a discussion with Kathimerini\u2019s editor-in-chief Alexis Papachelas at the forum \u201cEnvironment & Construction: An Unequal Battle?\u201d forum organized by the newspaper.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe country\u2019s problem is primarily social. The concept of public interest is almost non-existent. It is no accident that there are no sidewalks, that public spaces are minimal. There is an incredible attack on public space,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state is not just the prime minister and the ministers \u2013 we are all the state. There is individual responsibility and unfortunately we have forgotten that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
On environmental policy, he stressed the need for political consensus and long-term planning.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting the environment requires consensus within the political system. Governments should not overturn hard-won policies for electoral gain. The country is not a free-for-all. We have to do our job,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pikramenos also addressed the evolving role of the judiciary, stressing the importance of transparency and communication.<\/p>\n
\u201cJudges in our era must speak; the notion that judges should only communicate through their decisions is no longer valid. We have an obligation to explain things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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