Fines for illegal dumpsites doubled - Underworld control of waste management

The plenary session of Parliament passed an amendment to the waste law for 2025, significantly increasing out-of-court fines. Fines for waste management offenses are doubled, reaching up to 40,000 euros depending on the severity of the violation. During the debate, MPs denounced the existence of hundreds of illegal dumpsites and the involvement of the underworld in this sector. Serious concerns were raised regarding the intimidation of inspectors and the link between illegal landfills and destructive fires. Some lawmakers expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the measures, emphasizing that higher penalties are insufficient without substantial inspections. The opposition called on the government to confront criminal networks and invest in citizen education to improve the situation.