Mr. Angeloudis pledged that as a new administration “we are not going to deconstruct everything positive that has happened in the city in recent years.
“The city needs a new beginning. A new beginning, with a new concept in the way of administration, which is defined by the triptych: democratic functioning, good administration and public consultation” was the message sent by the new mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, during tonight’s swearing-in ceremony of himself and his of the new municipal council held in the foyer of the town hall.
The oath was administered by the new metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Filotheos, in a crowded place, with Mr. Angeloudis receiving from his predecessor, Konstantinos Zervas, the Diasimo, the precious necklace worn by the mayor at official events.
Stelios Angeloudis is the 62nd mayor in the history of the city, as he emerged from the municipal elections of last October. Two other mayors will sit in the same seats of the Thessaloniki municipal council in the next term, Mr. Zervas as head of the opposition and Yiannis Boutaris who was elected as a municipal councilor with the faction of Spyros Pegas.
In the short speech that followed after the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Angeloudis, addressing the people of Thessaloniki, assured them that he and his team are ready to work hard and methodically and put into practice what they committed to before the elections.
“There are no magic solutions to problems. The secret of success is hard work. The people of Thessaloniki will hear from us only truths, even if they are painful”, underlined the new mayor.
He said that the absolute priority for him and his administration, which officially assumes duties from January 1, 2024, are areas such as: cleanliness, the protection of public space, the equal and balanced development of each neighborhood, the promotion of the city’s top landmarks , the creation of adequate green spaces, the restoration of the New Beach, the creation of a Memorial Park in Eleftheria Square for the victims of the Holocaust, the pedestrianization of Hagia Sophia, the upgrading of Democracy Square and Diikitirio Square, the extension of the old beach with the wooden deck, the redevelopment of the Upper Town, finding municipal plots to create parking spaces.
Mr. Angeloudis pledged that as a new administration “we are not going to deconstruct everything positive that has happened in the city in recent years.
The administration has continuity and must be consistent.”
At the same time, he left tips for the finances of the municipality saying that: “we know that from January 1st we are taking over the administration of the municipality with additional, large financial burdens and openings, especially in reimbursable fees and cleaning” and expressed the opinion that the citizens “don’t they will give us a grace period”.
Finally, he rang a “bell” to the colleagues of his municipal team, saying that he is asking for “modesty, morals, dignity, decency and selflessness” and that “shows of arrogance will not be accepted”.
In tonight’s ceremony, in addition to the mayor and the municipal councilors, the new community councilors were also sworn in, choosing either a religious or a political oath. The government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Nikos Tachiaos, who stated that for the government “there are no winners and losers. We will stand by the municipality without colors, divisions and exceptions”, he said and wished the new mayor good luck. “Above all, our Thessaloniki”, emphasized Mr. Tachiaos.
Metropolitan Philotheos, for his part, also wished all the newly elected “strength in the exercise of their duties”. “Everyone together and each one individually has a responsibility for the city. Not only the bishop but also all the priests and citizens will be near you. I hope that you will also be with us, so that through good cooperation the city and the people will know beautiful days”, he said addressing the elected officials.
The “present” at the swearing-in ceremony was given, among others, by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, responsible for Macedonian-Thrace issues, Stathis Konstantinidis, the secretary of K.O. of ND Stavros Kalafatis, MPs, mayors and representatives of the city’s agencies.
Source: Skai
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