“I participate in democratic processes as I should and no one has the right to point the finger at me for my political convictions and the fight I am waging. I am here every day, I fight for the municipality and we make every effort with passion. And we all have to take responsibility for what we say.”
The response was immediate by Harry Doukas in Kostas Bakoyannis’ proposal to today’s City Council, for the transfer of his responsibilities as Mayor while he is a candidate for President of PASOK.
“I understand that Mr. Bakoyiannis is very interested in the internal processes of the PASOK party. You are so interested, Mr. Bakoyannis, that you are writing articles. That is why I say that it is much more important to write about Athens,” the Mayor of Athens said first and then emphasized:
“We don’t go around with the known results, Mr. Bakoyannis, we go out every day and solve the problems.” In the schools that you left to their fate and we are renovating them, in the playgrounds that you opened without operational certification, in the streets for cleaning, so don’t lift a finger to us.
The extortion ring
About the subject of the three municipal employees, allegedly involved in a spiral of extortionMr. Doukas gave an extensive briefing to the Municipal Council. He referred to the actions taken by the municipality, such as the fact that they were immediately suspended from their duties and were forwarded with the question of possible vacations, but also in the actions that will be taken later.
“We categorically and clearly state that our municipality will not tolerate criminal and delinquent practices that tarnish the titanic efforts of the vast majority of municipal employees to fully perform their duties. No tolerance for behavior that undermines the work of the municipal authority to improve the lives of Athenians. Zero tolerance for cases of corruption. We declare that we will take all necessary measures to prevent and eliminate them, wherever and whenever they occur.
Inspections are being stepped up in catering establishments
I think we all agree on this and that is why, in this effort, I want the City Council to join us”, stressed Mr. Doukas, among other things, when referring to the next steps of the municipality, he said:
“We are moving forward with a new, largely comprehensive Regulation concerning the operation and control in restaurants, kiosks and hotels. A dialogue will be initiated with the aim of preparing it in the near future.
We submitted a written proposal to the Ministry of the Interior for an amendment to the law on shop licenses and sanctions for violators.
We are currently developing an information system for health care stores – 75-80% of it is ready – and a special platform in direct collaboration with the Municipal Police and the Revenue Department, improve all control procedures and, of course, be able to have even greater transparency and agility in all procedures.”
And he concluded: “Together, we will move forward to clean up the city of illegal and criminal behaviors and actions. In all these efforts we will be together with the social and productive bodies and the workers, to complete our work”.
K. Bakoyannis: “We get dirty”
“We got dirty” was Mr. Bakoyannis’ comment on this, he congratulated the Greek Police and emphasized that the struggle of everyone in the municipality is common, for zero tolerance to corruption.
In turn, the leader of the popular demonstration Nikos Sofianos He stressed, among other things: “I would say that we are not so sure that we have untangled and clarified it. I do not know if there are not “edges” and “backs”. And it does not only concern the municipality of Athens, it concerns the Ministry of Culture, it concerns the Region. In other words, a network that, in a State that is class-based, toxic and indifferent to the daily lives of many, but strong enough to implement, transmit and manage business interests, there is also a political climate in which corruption flourishes. And not only when it comes to light, but also when it is implicit, but there is no evidence.”
In the end, he suggested that some immediate measures be taken and that pressure be put on the understaffing of the services, but also that this story be thoroughly investigated in all its ramifications.