20th eco. conference, Serres, 25-10-2008 Chryssa Hatzi, Deputy Ombudsman Synopsis The problem of environmental legislation not being implemented in practice in Greece, besides a certain political preconception of economic development, lies also upon the lack of coordination between various administrative levels vested with the competence of applying environmental legislation. It is also due to the shortcomings to be found in thoroughly reviewing these competences, such as the Regional organs’ reluctance to review the decisions made by local authorities and the reluctance to impose prompt and adequate sanctions for violations of environment, since the ordinary power of sanctions in the field lies mainly upon the discretion of elected Prefects. [...]