Local government remained in the shadow of the broad public dialogue as well as the extremely fertile scientific inquiries about the crisis. This book attempts to fill the gap by utilizing the findings of relevant research on fiscal adjustment in selected cities. How did municipalities respond to the unprecedented challenges and the dual pressure they faced, on the one hand from restrictive state policies and, on the other, from the struggling local communities? The authors utilize a combination of theoretical perspectives that includes actor-centered institutionalism, leadership theories, and the interpretive approach. Additionally, the qualitative analysis of texts and interviews is combined with statistical data to highlight the uniqueness of each of the six emblematic Greek municipalities analyzed: the municipalities of Athens, Piraeus, Patras, Maroussi, Volos, and Nikaia-Rentis. Thus, the significant differentiation of prevailing perceptions is identified, as well as their connection to local governance and its results, which show significant deviations in the six cities studied. It is concluded, therefore, that even in an extremely centralized politico-administrative system, even in times of strictly uniform fiscal stabilization policies, local conditions, local dialogues, and local leadership are of decisive importance for the performance of municipalities, their success or failure.