Bakoyannis: Yes to the closure of Eleonas in order for the Double Redevelopment to proceed

“The closure of Eleonas is a correct political choice, which we support. Nisafi with the monopoly of human rights sensitivity. At some point we can overcome the stereotypes and dogmas of the past and move forward. The biggest mistake we can make is to think that the structure of hosting refugees constitutes integration. We owe all people safety and dignity.”

This position was clearly stated by the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, during the meeting of the Municipal Council, responding to the opposition’s request for the continuation of its operation.

“All of us actually agree, even those who ask for an extension of the structure’s operation, that Elaionas has closed its circle. Elaionas was created by the SYRIZA-ANEL government and the Kamina administration, in another era. Different conditions and different needs. Since then, a lot of water has flowed down the gully. We cannot remain trapped in a crisis management and consider that this constitutes a complete policy”, emphasized the Mayor of Athens.

Mr. Bakoyiannis underlined that the municipal authority, although formally it is not their responsibility, fully assumes the responsibility of shutting down the structure for two important reasons: “We assume the responsibility, not only because the Double Regeneration will follow, which is the very great opportunity of the residents of Eleonas and the wider area, which for decades was forgotten and abandoned, but also because we owe these people security and dignity».

The Mayor of Athens, criticized the “competition” between the municipal factions of SYRIZA, KKE and ANTARSYA regarding Eleonas, speaking of a “leftist meter”: “I have said it in the past, respect the “leftist meter”, but find the between you. Don’t put us in this game. Your political differences do not concern the whole city council and certainly do not concern the whole of Athens. […] Let’s not create myths and fictions because it is convenient that children are allegedly removed in the middle of the school term or that they are transferred to places where there is no treatment, care, psychological support”, he concluded.

For her part, the mandated councilor of the Municipality of Athens for immigrant and refugee issues, Ms. Melina Daskalaki, in her intervention, underlined that this municipal authority has in practice shown the greatest sensitivity for the refugees accommodated in the structure, in contrast, as he said, with those who “parked” them there and, as the case may be, use them as tools under various pretexts.

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