“The projects for his station Metro in Exarchia they don’t stop, they continue, the station will be built, the project has no political overtones, it is based on strict technical specifications and all the objections that have been mentioned have been refuted in practice” said the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Nikos Tachiaos, in the Parliament, responding to a current question of the MP of Plefsis Eleftheria, Eleni Karageorgopoulou, who expressed her opposition to the construction of the Metro in Exarchia and argued that “the public space in Exarchia square is under persecution and causes social tension in the area”.

“What you refer to as social tension is a repeated limited number of protestors practicing ‘revolutionary gymnastics’ in an area they consider to be the ‘Galatic village’, which role it has to play within the urban complex. of Athens”, answered Mr. Tachiaos, rejecting the MP’s complaints that the public space is decreasing.

“Let’s be clear. The result of the reduction of public space in Exarchia that you claim, is a staircase and an elevator. The redevelopment was carried out by the previous municipal authority and gives a jewel to the area. Some people don’t want this gem. Some want to be the well-known “Galatic village”, where there are interests. Because the revolution is good, what is heard about the area of ​​Exarchia is good – obviously the Metro where it passes brings an increase in values ​​because it improves the quality of life of the residents – but does the current situation bring about a fixation of values, a degradation, precisely because the is violence the norm in Exarchia? Because, the rule is that a declared group of anarchists they want to keep. Their peculiar character”, said Mr. Tachiaos.

Mrs. Karageorgopoulou accused the government of a targeted policy to destroy a space of assembly and freedom of ideas.

“You talk disparagingly about “revolutionary gymnastics” in Exarchia. Exarchia square is a nursery of assembly, it is the definition of freedom of movement of ideas. With repressive methods, you are trying to destroy the freedom of thought that has historically been associated with Exarchion Square. You deprive its inhabitants of the quality of life. There is a great need for people to continue to gather in the square. Your political need is targeted in a symbolic square of historical importance”, support the MP of Plefsis Eleftherias.

Mr. Tahiaou’s reaction to the reference that Exarchia Square is the definition of freedom of ideas was strong.

“I remain united with the definition of freedom of ideas within the Exarchia where any opposing opinion is prohibited. This discussion about the Exarchia is ungrateful, it has no future, it comes from a past that has no color and it is time to see that the station has started and the station is being built”, said Mr. Tachiaos.

“The project for the current line was tendered by SYRIZA. There was not the slightest government involvement of the ND in regards to the Metro line 4 route,” he said and concluded:

“I hope it is not pretentious to be true, an application for injunctive measures by residents of the “blue apartment building” who say that a protected structure is in danger of falling from the tunnel. The equipment used for tunneling is such as to ensure the status of the pressures. There is not the slightest risk for the “blue apartment building”, but also for any building that will be in the way of the project”.