WWF accuses minister of 'backtracking' on environmental protection

The conservation group WWF Hellas on Wednesday leveled heavy criticism against the government, and in particular against Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis for ?backtracking? on environmental protection.

The WWF accused Lafazanis of focusing almost exclusively on the energy sector, and showing no interest in protecting the environment. It said Lafazanis is pushing Greece back to ?even dirtier times? and took issue with what it called an ?absurd? commitment to protecting ?old and dirty? power plants.

The WWF also accused the government of failing to take action to protect beaches and to take a harder stand against illegal buildings, despite its pre-election promises.