The intention for the Municipality of Athens to close the 3rd Cemetery for 10 days was brought by the Municipal Authority to vote outside the agenda, at today’s meeting of the Municipal Council of Athens, and in the form of an urgent matter. The whole thing drew backlash from all factions, who pointed out the seriousness of the matter – and in the end it was withdrawn.

The proposal to suspend the operation of the cemetery was made by the deputy mayor for Economic Planning, Giorgos Giannaros, and surprised many municipal councilors. As he explained, since 2022 there have been two autopsies by the health department – which resulted in the same number of fines – and now a new autopsy has been performed which highlighted important problems, which should be resolved immediately, otherwise there will be a new fine or the risk of getting the Region measures. And he added that in order to carry out these works in the 3rd Cemetery, it would have to be closed for ten days, which would mean that no burials would take place, except in family graves.

However, the municipal faction “Athina Psila” of Kostas Bakoyannis assumed a crucial role and fought to keep it open. The reaction of the opposition was intense, Mr. Bakoyannis talked about abandoning the cemetery, for lightness in dealing with the problem and asked for it to remain open.

Mr. also said no at the closing. Sofianos, Mr. Papadakis stressed that there will be a public disapproval and also said no to the closure, so did Ms. Papadopoulou, who mentioned that some may not be able to pay for the A’ or B’ Cemetery and spoke of cynicism and insults.

Finally, the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, informed the Chamber that there was an emergency communication with the regional governor and that a joint effort will be made with all services in full operation, so that all the necessary works can be carried out without suspending the operation of the cemetery.

“Athens 9.84”

The chairman of the board of directors of “Athens 9.84” Nikos Laliotis also attended today’s municipal council, in order to inform the House about the city’s radio station.

“We took over a station with a low audience, with accumulated damages, with abandoned infrastructure, with understaffing and generally a state of inactivity and resignation. This image belongs to the past”, he said, among other things, and assured that the current municipal authority has the will and determination to solve the problems. “I want to send a message of optimism for the future,” he said.

Immediately after, he referred to the administration’s plan, he spoke about restoring the journalistic character that the station had since its foundation, about pluralism in information, about extroversion and about cooperation with other stations, he also said that he would proceed with the creation of Internet radio and web TV and how these investments are costed, while he said that the station will return to audience measurements in January and that advertising depends on the measurements.

The factions, above all else, asked to have their own time in the program, a proposal that Haris Doukas said he agreed with.

“A debt was transferred to us. I don’t know when it was created, but it exists and we need to solve it. We want there to be pluralism and for everyone to have a voice and for the station to become competitive again”, said the mayor of Athens, among other things.

Finally, the twinning agreement between the municipality of Athens and Shanghai was approved by a majority.