Kostas Bakogiannis launched a scathing attack against the Mayor of Athens, Charis Doukas, accusing him of neglecting the capital’s problems in favor of his personal political agenda.
The leader of the opposition in the City of Athens, Kostas Bakogiannis, highlighting a deep divide in the philosophy of governing the city.
Mr. Bakogiannis argued that the current mayor is using his institutional role as a springboard to the national political stage, while neglecting the daily lives of the city’s residents. As he pointed out, “it is an open secret that Mr. Doukas, from day one, has been preoccupied with his personal political ambitions rather than with the problems of the people of Athens. Moreover, he co-manages the municipality with Mr. Zachariadis, apparently as a stepping stone for his plans.”
According to the former mayor, the picture presented by the city’s highest institutional body confirms the current administration’s lack of direction, as it appears to be trapped in petty political power struggles. “The city council meeting the day before yesterday confirmed once again to the people of Athens that it is following a course that does not meet the city’s needs but serves political expediency”, he emphasized.
In this context, Mr. Bakogiannis focused on a series of flagship projects and initiatives that, he claims, were canceled or put on hold solely due to the actions of Mr. Doukas, in order to satisfy specific ideological agendas.
Referring to the mayor’s recent stance on the refugee shelters on Alexandras Avenue, he emphasized: “Contrary to what he said at the previous City Council meeting, Mr. Doukas this time called for the suspension of the project and the construction of social housing in Prosfigika, in an effort to curry favor with the most extreme segments of his audience, having apparently set his sights on his next political milestone.”
Bakogianni’s post in full:
𝝤𝝞 𝝖𝝝𝝜𝝢𝝖𝝞𝝤𝝞 𝝚𝝣𝝚𝝠𝝚𝝣𝝖𝝢 𝝙𝝜𝝡𝝖𝝦𝝬𝝤 𝝘𝝞𝝖 𝝢𝝖 𝝙𝝤𝝪𝝠𝝚𝝭𝝚𝝞 𝝘𝝞𝝖 𝝚𝝟𝝚𝝞𝝢𝝤𝝪𝝨 𝝤𝝬𝝞 𝝘𝝞𝝖 𝝩𝝤𝝢 𝝚𝝖𝝪𝝩𝝤 𝝩𝝤𝝪
It is an open secret that Mr. Doukas, from day one, has been preoccupied with his personal political ambitions rather than with the problems of the people of Athens. After all, he co-manages the municipality with Mr. Zachariadis, apparently as a stepping stone for his plans. The city council meeting the day before yesterday confirmed once again to the people of Athens that he is pursuing a course of action that does not meet the city’s needs but serves political expediency. Contrary to what he said at the previous City Council meeting, Mr. Doukas this time called for the suspension of the project and the construction of social housing in Prosfigika, in an effort to curry favor with the most extreme factions, having evidently set his sights on his next political milestone. Previously, he had scrapped the redevelopment of Strefi Hill, depriving residents of a safe and open public space; he turned against the Exarchia Metro project, undermining Athens’ future, and abandoned the Empros Theater to the mercy of the “well-known unknowns,” depriving the city of an iconic cultural venue.Athens, however, needs clear decisions and a stable plan that will move it forward, not choices that divide and leave neighborhoods in constant uncertainty.Let’s take a closer look at all the issues we discussed.
𝝥𝝦𝝤𝝨𝝫𝝪𝝘𝝞𝝟𝝖 𝝖𝝠𝝚𝝣𝝖𝝢𝝙𝝦𝝖𝝨: The restoration of the Refugee Housing Complex involves not only the restoration of a historic complex but also the social role it will play in the city from now on.As announced by the Region of Attica, the apartments to be built will be designated for social housing for families, the unemployed, young people, and low-income seniors, as well as for caregivers accompanying patients at the “Agios Savvas” Hospital.This is a process that has taken shape through previous institutional discussions and initiatives, with the participation of various political forces.Our position is clear: the project must proceed as planned, with transparency, institutional dialogue, and respect for the site’s historical identity and the city’s needs.
𝝨𝝟𝝖𝝭𝝞𝝡𝝖𝝩𝝖 𝝨𝝩𝝤 𝝤𝝙𝝞𝝟𝝤 𝝙𝝞𝝟𝝩𝝪𝝤: Our party constantly receives complaints from many neighborhoods in Athens regarding the condition of the streets. After work carried out by private companies, repairs are often left unfinished, resulting in potholes, damage, and hazardous conditions for drivers.We have asked the municipal authorities to take effective control of the contractors and the repairs, imposing fines where necessary, so that the work is completed properly and does not leave behind problems that endanger everyone’s safety.
𝝘𝝚𝝫𝝪𝝦𝝖 𝝤𝝙𝝤𝝪 𝝨𝝖𝝠𝝖𝝡𝝞𝝢𝝞𝝖𝝨, 𝝗𝝤𝝩𝝖𝝢𝝞𝝟𝝤𝝨: For several months now, the bridge located on the border between the Municipality of Athens and the Municipality of Moschato-Tavros has remained out of service. As a result, traffic in the area has been significantly impacted, both toward Petrou Ralli and toward Agia Anna, with residents, workers, and drivers complaining on a daily basis.We have requested a clear answer regarding who is responsible for the repairs and what the timeline is for the bridge’s reopening.
𝝨𝝬𝝤𝝠𝝚𝝞𝝤 𝝥𝝞𝝟𝝞𝝮𝝢𝝜, 𝝠𝝪𝝟𝝖𝝗𝝜𝝩𝝩𝝤𝝨: The school’s condition continues to be a cause for concern. The completion of the relevant study has been pending for some time, resulting in a delay in the necessary maintenance and restoration work. An important architectural landmark of the city continues to deteriorate, while parents, teachers, and the school administration have long been calling for at least the necessary measures to be taken to protect and maintain the building.We have requested a clear timeline for the completion of the study and for work to begin immediately.
𝝚𝝦𝝘𝝖 𝝨𝝩𝝜𝝢 𝝥𝝠𝝖𝝩𝝚𝝞𝝖 𝝝𝝚𝝖𝝩𝝦𝝤𝝪: The project at Theater Square appears to be nearing completion. However, it has been noted that the final result differs in certain areas from what was outlined in the approved design. Specifically, in front of the Diplaireio School building—where architectural landscaping and green spaces were planned—the area is now being paved with extensive asphalt.We requested clarification regarding the changes made to the original study and the reason why the project’s design was modified.
𝝭𝝜𝝫𝝞𝝤𝝥𝝤𝝞𝝜𝝨𝝜 𝝥𝝤𝝠𝝚𝝤𝝙𝝤𝝡𝝞𝝖𝝨: An important project that began during the previous term remains underway and directly affects citizens and professionals. This initiative has the potential to streamline procedures, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance transparency in municipal services.We requested an update on the current status of the project and its completion timeline.
𝝝𝝚𝝦𝝞𝝢𝝤𝝨 𝝟𝝞𝝢𝝜𝝡𝝖𝝩𝝤𝝘𝝦𝝖𝝫𝝤𝝨 𝝖𝝗 , 𝝥𝝖𝝩𝝜𝝨𝝞𝝖: A historic site for the neighborhood. However, the current state of the site continues to raise concerns. The restoration project that began during the previous term remains unfinished and is significantly behind schedule. We requested an update on the project’s progress and a timeline.
𝝥𝝦𝝖𝝨𝝞𝝢𝝤: There have been numerous complaints from many residents in various neighborhoods regarding both the trees and the parks in general, which appear to be drying out and require immediate attention, especially during the summer months. We have requested immediate reinforcement of the maintenance and care of green spaces in order to protect the plantings and preserve the city’s appearance.
𝝫𝝮𝝩𝝞𝝨𝝡𝝤𝝨: Numerous malfunctions in the municipal street lighting system have been reported in various neighborhoods of the city, resulting in safety concerns for residents. According to the existing contract, repairs are scheduled to be completed within 48 hours. We have requested that compliance with the repair timeline be ensured in practice and that malfunctions be addressed immediately.
𝝦𝝚𝝡𝝖 𝝥𝝤𝝙𝝤𝝢𝝞𝝫𝝩𝝜 – 𝝭𝝚𝝟𝝖𝝨𝝡𝝤𝝞 𝝟𝝤𝝪𝝢𝝤𝝪𝝥𝝞𝝮𝝢: At the Podoniftis stream, on the outskirts of Patisia, there have been complaints about an increase in mosquitoes and the need for systematic spraying. It remains unclear whether there is an active contract in place or if the relevant actions are continuing in the same manner as in the past, when this task was undertaken by the Parks Department through the Urban Wildlife Division. We have requested information on which agency is currently responsible and whether there is an organized program of spraying and interventions in the area.
𝝫𝝦𝝤𝝢𝝩𝝞𝝙𝝖 𝝛𝝮𝝮𝝢: It is important for the city to have appropriate spaces for animals, as well as the infrastructure that supports their daily care. During our term in office, five dog parks were created in various neighborhoods of Athens, as well as the first municipal veterinary clinic. Today, what we see is that there is no continuity in this planning. There are no plans for new dog parks, and there is no clear vision for the development of municipal animal care facilities.We have requested a clear update on whether there is a plan to continue or if this effort has been halted.
𝝚𝝟𝝙𝝜𝝠𝝮𝝨𝝜 𝝨𝝩𝝤 𝝘𝝜𝝥𝝚𝝙𝝤 𝝨𝝩𝝤 𝝘𝝤𝝪𝝙𝝜: At a recent meeting of OPANDA, a request was discussed from an association outside the boundaries of the Municipality of Athens to hold an event at the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) stadium in Goudi Park, to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding. Based on the promotional material that has been released (poster and ticket), it appears that this is a ticketed event. The question is clear: has a contract been signed to grant use of the venue? Under what terms? And why does the approved proposal not clarify whether this is a sporting event or a ticketed festival/entertainment event? We have requested clear information regarding the terms of use for the venue.
𝝖𝝥𝝖𝝘𝝤𝝦𝝚𝝪𝝨𝝜 𝝨𝝩𝝖𝝝𝝡𝝚𝝪𝝨𝝜𝝨 𝝨𝝩𝝜𝝢 𝝤𝝙𝝤 𝝩𝝛𝝞𝝦𝝖𝝞𝝮𝝢, 𝝖𝝟𝝦𝝤𝝥𝝤𝝠𝝜: The ban on vehicle parking on Tziraion Street, on one side of the street places an even greater burden on the daily lives of permanent residents, who already face a severe parking problem in the area. We have requested that this specific ban not be implemented and that the issue of parking in the area be examined comprehensively, based on the actual needs of residents.
