A feud has erupted between the Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakouand the mayor of Athens, Harry Doukason the subject of electric skates.
The Ministry of Development responded to today’s post, made by the mayor of Athens on his Facebook account about the issue of electric skates in the city and the Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos: “Let him understand that he is a mayor and not a dolphin. Mr. Doukas admitted that he did not know his powers and responsibilities regarding the electric skates issue. He must, however, undertake them. To realize that he is the Mayor of Athens and not a candidate dolphin of PASOK, as he wishes”.
In the post made earlier by the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, on Facebook, he stated the following:
“The Minister of Development seems to live in a different reality. He talks about a “shrunken perception” of the Self-Government of the Mayor of Athens, when his own government is the one that systematically shrinks the powers of the Self-Government and especially of the Municipality of Athens.
As everything shows, Mr. Theodorikakos probably feels like a Minister in the government of another country. Instead of coordinating with Deputy Minister Ms. Michailidou, one “targets” the Municipality and the other requests regulations that are either the responsibility of the government, or have already been advanced by the Municipality.
We would suggest them – for starters – to read the Municipality’s response, so that they align with each other, at least in the basics.
For their convenience:
– The public consultation on the final plan of the Municipality for skates has been posted for several days on the website of the Municipality of Athens and will soon be completed. That’s not why they didn’t care to be informed either. As soon as any important suggestions from the consultation have been incorporated, the final plan will come to the City Council and be implemented.
– It was the government that chose to leave the issue with rudimentary arrangements for five years and now hypocritically locates responsibility in the Municipalities.
And since we are talking about responsibilities, let the Ministry of Development answer us if, after the establishment of a company, its vehicles are automatically put into circulation in the public area, without any operating or circulation permit.
If some are looking for “another Mayor” to load their own omissions, we inform you that Athens is not a branch of the Ministry. It is a city with Self-Government, a plan and accountability to the citizens – not to the communication needs of the government”.
Yesterday (31/10), the Ministry of Development issued a statement, with which it responded to the statements of the mayor of Athens Haris Doukas regarding the institutional framework that governs the operation and parking of electric skates.
His announcement in detail:
“For Mr. Doukas, it is no surprise that everyone else is to blame. From the first moment he assumed the responsible duties of the Mayor of Athens, he has adopted a narrowed understanding of the responsibilities of local self-government and an expanded one in everything else concerning his person, as he also found the time to claim, without success, the presidency of PASOK.
Now others are also to blame for his skates, specifically the Ministry of Development. Mr. Doukas confuses the establishment of a company, where indeed the ND Government has simplified things by reducing the bureaucracy – which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Development – and the regulations concerning a product or a service determined by other legislative provisions.
In the case of light personal electric vehicles the law 5209/2025 is clear.
Let’s start with the definitions included in Article 3 so that Mr. Doukas is properly and fully informed.
“17. “Light personal electric vehicle (EPV)”: The vehicle that is powered by an electric motor and does not fall under the scope of Regulation 858/2018/EU, Regulation 168/2013/EU, Directive 2009/48/EC and Directive 2007/46/EC. a) These vehicles include those driven by electric motor: aa) skates (e-scooters), ab) rollers and skateboards… “.
And in Paragraph 9 of Article 112:
“g) By decision of the relevant Municipal Council or the municipal committee in the road network under their jurisdiction, special parking spaces for public transport are determined in residential areas in accordance with par. 18.”.
We hope we have helped Mr. Doukas to learn his obligations and responsibilities.”