If taxes go up, more young people will leave, warns Mayor Kakali. Because it is one of the smallest islands, Agios Efstratios will not have to pay the tax increase until 2017. And Kakali hopes the political situation in Greece will change before then. But, if not, she plans to travel to Athens to remind the distant government what the tax rise would cost. “The government doesn’t pay much attention to the islands of the north Aegean,” she said, “so I would take all the kids from our school to the gates of parliament, to tell them: ‘There is still life in these islands’.”
What does Kakali hope will happen by 2017?
The planned tax increase for Agios Efstratios will be cancelled Greek politicians will start paying more taxes Government officials in Athens will invite Kakali to discuss the island’s situation More hotels will be built in Agios Efstratios