The new “Political Terminal” becomes the center of Athens. The intention of the Municipality of Athens to reopen Queen Olga becomes an apple of contention, as the current mayor Haris Doukas and former Mayor Costas Bakoyannis clash, while three ministries intervene in the confrontation.
The Press Office of the Municipality of Athens accuses the Ministries of Culture, Environment, and Infrastructure and Transport of being “united to defend the loser of the elections, Mr Bakoyannis, to the detriment of the citizens”. The municipality stresses that the street belongs to the citizens and not to political expediency, and points out that it will not be behind its decision.
For his part, Kostas Bakoyannis accuses Harry Doukas of “Kolotuba”, unreliability and populism, as he had initially depreciated the work to eventually accept it. The former mayor says he is pleased that the work he had begun will soon be delivered to the Athenians.
Finally, in their joint announcement, the three ministries point out that any interventions in Queen Olga require new approvals. The street, as it is located in the archaeological site of Athens, is a place of particular importance and any changes must be approved by the competent services. Therefore, they point out, the municipal initiatives have no power.
Ministries “fall” to Harry Duke
“The Ministries of Environment & Energy, Culture, Infrastructure & Transport notes that proposed interventions in the approved manner of operation of Vasilissis Olga Street are re -asserting decisions of the competent services of the relevant Ministries,” the Ministry of Culture said today and emphasizes:
“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. “
Kostas Bakoyannis: “The Coast of Harry Doukas for Queen Olga”
Former Athens Mayor Costas Bakoyannis accuses the current mayor, Harry Doukas, of “Kolotuba”, “populism” and “unreliability” on works on the pedestrian street of Queen Olga.
In a post on social media, Bakoyannis argues that the Duke has changed a position on the project many times, which he had initially depreciated and ironic, to eventually accept it.
According to Mr Bakoyannis, Mr Doukas adopted the work in a “misinformation crescendo”, while he should have shown more zeal for the city instead of “cheap communication”.
Finally, the former mayor is pleased to be pleased that the work, which he says had been fought, will soon be delivered to the Athenians, stressing that “false words are lost, but the works remain.”
“The Municipality of Athens will not go back”
In response to the joint announcement of the three ministries (Ministry of Culture, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport), which are on the opening of Queen Olga, the Municipality of Athens proceeded.
He says, among other things, that “5 years ago, Mr. Bakoyannis in the context of the devastating” Great Walk “, closed Vasilissis Olga by allegedly invoking Covid” and notes that “the Municipality of Athens will not go back”
In detail the answer:
“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.