Phone: 210 5277624
E-mail: dimotikosymvoulio@athens.gr
According to Law 3852/2010 (Kallikratis Program), the Municipal Council of Athens currently consists of 49 elected members serving four-year terms. Of these, 21 belong to the majority party—the party that won the municipal elections—whose leader is the Mayor. The remaining 28 members belong to the minority parties, each headed by the candidate who ran for Mayor in that election.
You can view here the Regulations of Operation of the Municipal Council.
The Council Presidium is elected every two years following an invitation from the councilor of the winning party with the highest votes; in the event of a tie, the first listed councilor in the court decision invites the council. The President is proposed by the majority party, the Vice President by the largest minority party, and the Secretary by the other minority parties—or by the majority party if no minority members are available.
The Council convenes at least once per month upon the President’s invitation. According to Article 67 of the Municipal and Community Code (Law 3852/2010), the President also calls a session if requested by the Mayor, the Financial Committee, the Quality of Life Committee, one-third of all Council members, or all minority councilors. Invitations are published on the Municipality’s website and delivered or notified to councilors at least three full days before the session.
The President prepares the Agenda, which must include items proposed by the Mayor, the Executive Committee, the Financial Committee, and the Quality of Life Committee. The Council may decide that an item not on the agenda is urgent and discuss it with an absolute majority of all members before the scheduled agenda items. Sessions are public and minutes are recorded.
Οι συνεδριάσεις είναι δημόσιες και σε κάθε συνεδρίαση τηρούνται πρακτικά.
The Council has a quorum when more than half of its members are present. Decisions are made by an absolute majority of those present, unless otherwise specified.
Each decision receives a unique number, with new numbering starting at the beginning of each year. Three days after a session, a table summarizing the discussed items, decision numbers, and content is published.
Individuals with legal interest may request certified copies of minutes or decisions or examine them on-site.
With the President’s supervision, all Council decisions may be posted on the Municipality’s website. Non-publication does not affect the validity of decisions. Council decisions are sent to relevant departments for implementation and, in some cases, to the Legality Auditor for review.
The Municipal Council:
- Decides on all municipal matters except those legally assigned to the Mayor or another body, or delegated to a committee.
- Expresses opinions on local issues and provides recommendations to public authorities upon request.
- Sets taxes, fees, rights, and contributions based on recommendations from the Financial Committee.
- Adopts its Regulations of Operation by absolute majority, following the standard regulation of Article 67.
- One month before elections until the new municipal authorities assume office, the Council decides only on urgent, unforeseen matters.
- May delegate certain powers to the Quality of Life Committee related to its responsibilities.
President of the Municipal Council – Despoina Limniotaki
During the 1st Special Session of the Athens City Council, on Monday, January 5, 2026, Despoina Limniotaki was elected President of the Athens City Council, following a proposal by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas.
The election was conducted in accordance with the prescribed procedure, with a broad majority of the City Council members.
Office of the President of the Municipal Council
Phone Numbers: 210 5277614, 210 5277616, 210 5277069
- Handles the President’s personal correspondence and maintaining archives
- Schedules and organizing the President’s meetings
- Maintains calendar of the President’s engagements
- Receives documents from municipal services that require the President’s signature and returning them after processing