The first interview after his election was given by Haris Doukas to MEGA’s main news bulletin. The new mayor of Athens spoke about his victory, referred to PASOK, but also to Kostas Zachariadis, answered questions about the debate, about the cameras, about the metro in Exarchia and about the marches in the center of the city, while at the end he said that on Friday he will have a meeting with outgoing mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

He initially referred to his victory, saying among other things: “If you don’t believe it, it’s not possible. Talking to people I was thinking how it can be done. On Sunday, returning to school, I knew I was going to win. I said that I can beat Kostas Bakoyannis if I go on the second Sunday”.

He then added: “After the debate, because I had a recognition problem, I had a feeling that our proposals really went through very quickly and easily and we could now confidently say that in a day or two we would be able to get the percentages.”

Mr. Doukas referred to his support from PASOK, saying: “I told the president of PASOK that I want to make an independent ballot, which I would like to have the support of PASOK, but also others. I have to say that I respected it respectfully, that is, we made a call to all the citizens who believed in our commitment. We discuss two months for Athens on the issues, which have no colors and commas, if they are common to all. We went with these and I think that in the end the message was that Athens won”.

He thanked Costas Zachariadis for his support in the Second Round and on this he said: “Everything in life is political, but the message is not partisan. It is political and the political message says to respond to specific problems of Athenians and problems that have to do with the little ones, such as cleanliness and safety. PASOK and personally Nikos Androulakis supported me, but the parties are doing their job and I am now the mayor of Athens, of all the Athenians, that is why it is of great value to say that the collaborations and compositions are done on a programmatic basis and I will pursue them subsequently”.

And he added about the support from Kostas Zachariadis: “The support took place in the foreground, with specific positions that we discussed and it does not mean anything else. And that was rewarded, I believe.”

Regarding the issue of cameras in the city center, Mr. Doukas said that he is not against it, as long as it is clarified who will see the footage and how it will be used: “They cannot enter playgrounds as well. Cameras are an auxiliary means and the Police must contribute. 20% of the population of Athens is of immigrant origin and we will have to look at the critical issues of social integration and immigrants, but also the difficult issues, that is, what do we do with the users, with the homeless”.

Regarding the metro in Exarchia, he emphasized that this should be done in consultation with the residents, just like any other project: “I am in favor of the metro, it is a pro-people and environmental project. We have to ask the citizens about the projects. The work will be done, but we can make arrangements with the residents. I think it is very important to make some projects iconic. And the residents want the Grove and to take their walk. They want two or three parameters to feel that they are taken into account.”

Finally, regarding the marches in the center of Athens, he said that there is legislation that must be respected. And he concluded: “The municipal authority must be informed. The immediate priority is to proceed with the actions. I thank Mr. Bakoyannis for congratulating me and we will have a meeting on Friday, so that we can proceed with the critical projects.”