Bakoyannis: Gazi is not Mykonos – Shops will be sealed

A stern message to some shopkeepers at Gas pedal sent by Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannisemphasizing that Gazi is not Mykonos, no permit is provided music until 6.30 and 7 in the morning and where deemed necessary stores will be closed.

“The vast majority of professionals in this city respect the rules, respect the laws, respect the residents and visitors. But there are also some exceptions. In these, the Municipality of Athens will exhaust its strictness. And this is a central decision, which has been taken by our municipal faction, and by me personally, I dare to tell you. I know that we have the support of the Board of Directors. It cannot be acceptable to blackmail or threaten the Municipality of Athens”, emphasized Mr. Bakoyannis in response to Real FM’s question about the situation in Gazi.

Mr. Bakoyiannis pointed out that the licenses granted to the stores set a specific operating framework and nowhere, as he characteristically said, “music is not provided at 6.30 and 7 in the morning”.

“Gazi is not Mykonos”, he said and added: “We are exhausting all legal means at our disposal and sealing the shops. It has already been done in some cases and will be done where necessary. We will exhaust every legal means, every possibility that the law gives us. We are not going to hesitate.”

Regarding her issue security in the city, the Mayor of Athens emphasized that since the issue was raised publicly, it has there is an improvement. “Of course, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. […] It will be seen from the result. I am very careful in my public statements and I consciously choose to be.”

Thank them once again men and women of EL.AS. who carry out their duty under difficult conditions, as well as the people of the Municipal Police. “I would like you to keep two things: First, a big “thank you” to the Greek police officers who really make superhuman efforts with the means at their disposal and with the possibilities provided to them. And secondly, that the Municipality of Athens has really exceeded its institutional responsibilities and is trying to “back off”. And we do this at every opportunity and in every neighborhood.”

Finally, as regards his intervention for the marches and sports events in the city, Mr. Bakoyiannis noted: “The statistics of the Ministry of Citizen Protection say that in the last six months, Athens was closed 164 times. You realize that it is not going any further, this is a situation which is not sustainable. So we said three things: First, that sports and entertainment events should not be allowed on working days and working hours. Obviously, no one disputes the very good intentions of the organizers and no one disputes that they are important events, but at the same time we have to ensure the smooth running of the city. Secondly, we need a legislative initiative, which will at the same time ensure that nothing will be done within the boundaries of the municipality, without the permission of the municipality of Athens. I think this is the most obvious. And thirdly, that we have a law that has been passed and brings some logic to the marches and protests. He does not deny anyone’s right, quite the opposite. But he says that there should be a principle of proportionality: Depending on how many you are, so many lanes you will occupy. This law should be implemented.”

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