In an open government conflict – Municipality of Athens converted, it seems, the issue of opening the avenue Queen Olga.
Yesterday Friday (29.8.25), in their joint announcement of three ministries (Environment and Energy, Culture, Infrastructure and Transport) expressed their reaction to the decision of the Mayor of Athens to re -change the use of the road. With Harry Doukas, however, he is determined to go on his plan.
It is noted that the Municipality of Athens has carried out a new traffic study, which modifies the use of the road, providing mild traffic with the entry of all vehicles by King Constantine to Syntagma and Right to Ardittos. According to the municipality, this arrangement will reduce the traffic burden on other axes by 20%, and will be accompanied by additional interventions around the pillars of Olympian Zeus.
“The Ministries of Environment and Energy, Culture, Infrastructure and Transport point out that proposed interventions in the approved manner of operation of Vasilissis Olga Street re -presuppose decisions of the competent services of the relevant Ministries,” the Ministry of Culture said:
“Vasilissis Olga Street is located within the declared archaeological site of Athens, and during the ongoing work of the redevelopment, significant antiquities have been revealed, which are preserved and emerged. At the same time, it is a communal space of particular importance.
For this reason, the implementation of the existing redevelopment of the street has received all the required approvals from the Central Council of Architecture, by Act 321 of the 19th Session of 2021, as well as by the Ministry of Culture, by the decision of the Ministry of Culture, by the decision “Reconstruction SA”, supervised by the relevant Ministries and funded by national resources.
Taking into account the above, as well as the passage of the tram from the street, the OASA agreement is also required, as defined in Article 52 of the Road Traffic Code, while the compatibility of these amendments to the existing legislation and transport studies is the subject of control of the Technical Services.
Therefore, the announcement continues, “the relevant initiatives of the Municipality of Athens, as announced, do not produce legal results. The Municipality is called upon to comply with the institutional procedures provided by the institutional framework. “
Intense reaction from Harry Duke
In a post on social media, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, expressed his reaction to his announcement, stressing that the “Municipality of Athens will not go back”. Indeed, he accuses the three ministries of defending “the loser of Mr Bakoyannis, at the expense of the citizens,” he says.
“Three ministries are united to defend the loser of the elections, Mr Bakoyannis, at the expense of the citizens. In an unprecedented practice they ignore the will of the citizens and the wider majority of the Athens City Council. 5 years ago, Mr. Bakoyannis, in the context of the devastating “Great Walk”, closed Vasilissis Olga by allegedly invoking Covid. He planned his conversion into a “private” road to users of the tennis court in the area and for the Zappeion coffee shops, “writes the mayor of Athens.
Three ministries are united to defend the loser of the elections, Mr Bakoyannis, at the expense of the citizens.
In an unprecedented practice they ignore the will of the citizens and the wider majority of the Athens City Council.
5 years ago Mr. Bakoyannis in the context… pic.twitter.com/bH43G2XzDP
– Haris Doukas (@H_Doukas) August 29, 2025
“Three ministries are united to defend the loser of the elections, Mr Bakoyannis, at the expense of the citizens. In an unprecedented practice they ignore the will of the citizens and the wider majority of the Athens City Council. 5 years ago, Mr. Bakoyannis, in the context of the devastating “Great Walk”, closed Vasilissis Olga by allegedly invoking Covid. He designed his conversion into a “private” road to users of the tennis court in the area and for the cafés of the Zappeion. Then no minister spoke.
Today they are representing the “guardians of the law” to block the Municipality of Athens. We remind them that Vas. Olga belongs to the citizens and not to political expediency. The Municipality of Athens will not go back. By every institutional medium we will do everything we need to defend the democratic demand of the citizens for a city open, fair and sustainable. We call on all parties and Members of Athens to take a clear position. The right to the city is a matter of democracy.
Then no minister spoke. Today they are representing the “guardians of the law” to block the Municipality of Athens. We remind them that Vas. Olga belongs to the citizens and not to political expediency. The Municipality of Athens will not go back.
By every institutional medium we will do everything we need to defend the democratic demand of the citizens for a city open, fair and sustainable. We call on all parties and Members of Athens to take a clear position. The right to the city is a matter of democracy. “
It is recalled that the recent Municipal Council, Haris Doukas, defended the changes, noting that the Bakoyannis plan envisioned vehicles to move in tram and trolley strips, even crossing through a dirt road of Zappeion, which – as he said – would “recommend”. On the contrary, he argued that the new study’s arrangements follow “common sense”.
Costas Bakoyannis: “Queen Olga opens as we had planned it”
Former Athens Mayor Costas Bakoyannis did not leave what was happening in the case of Vasilissis Olga Avenue.
“The Queen Olga opens as we had planned it. A jewel for all Athenians and visitors. This is all that matters. Against lie and politicism, “Kostas Bakoyannis writes in his post.