Interview with SKAI100.3 and Pavlos Tsimas was given today, Thursday, by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, who referred to his goals for the municipality of Athens.

About new model of administration and governance of the municipality Mr. Doukas mentioned that “we adopt the Code of Ethics of elected officials. First, we elected officials must show the change of paradigm, with accountability and transparency, with specific rules. Also in our municipal faction, all elected officials have a specific responsibility. So, each area of ​​responsibility of the municipality has a name”

For the green he said how “I have placed the piece of green emblematic. These days the Green Regulation is being prepared and we are choosing the areas where we will proceed in the next period with the tree planting of around 1000 trees, until spring. Because green, as we say, is not a “lifestyle”, it is not even a quality of life anymore, it is survival”.

About school he mentioned that there are very old buildings and this is a big problem “and here we are making a very big effort with the Directorate of Building Infrastructures, We are looking for additional state funding, as well as other funding. I will issue an open invitation to large companies to contribute as part of their corporate social responsibility. The problems of school maintenance are very serious, and of course we also need new buildings” said Mr. Doukas characteristically.

As for the double regeneration he said how “We have to pick up speed. It is a truly national project and it goes beyond a municipal authority. It was started by Mr. Bakoyannis and I am sure it is a great honor to be able to continue it. We are talking about a regeneration which concerns a huge geographical area. I think it is the biggest redevelopment at the moment in the Balkans. And of course it is very complex. We are talking about a new stadium which must meet the strictest environmental standards, we are talking about a soccer field, an amateur field and a huge park area. In fact, a new state will become in Botanikos. And of course we go to Alexandras afterwards. There, after the scenario in Botaniko is completed, the existing facilities will be demolished and a park will be created and a parking lot underneath. Huge effort. We are currently moving forward with a number of individual processes to enable the works in Eleonas to begin and to create a small new town in an area that is completely degraded. Now there is nothing there, only rubble and garbage and there will be created a new space of green, sports, culture, very important.”

At the same time, the mayor of Athens said that “from the first moment I said that I want to be mayor of all Athenians. It is a big personal bet, that my commitments go ahead and that this social contract is quickly put into practice. And I think the big stake for Athens is to proceed as quickly as possible with the changes with one basic condition. To co-shape them with the citizens. This for me is the biggest challenge. That is, the new governance model will also concern the way in which the Athenians participate and cooperate and take part in decision-making. To build their own neighborhoods and take life into their own hands.”

For cooperation with the government Mr. Doukas said that “I started by saying that I am seeking cooperation because I want all my commitments to go forward. But I have to say that some basic government decisions were in the wrong direction, in many cases they did not make sense. Let me give three examples. Rizari: The protection of the green is not an ideology of mine. The CoE helped restore logic. When we talk about the need to reduce the temperature, to increase the greenery, we must also look at how to reduce the risks to the trees that are already there. Even in the very large infrastructure projects, the pro-people and pro-environment projects, such as the metro for example in Rizari. We need to see if it is possible to do the project with the least possible impact on the trees. Some said “either the metro or the green”, and that we have to choose. I say we can do both. This is what the SC said. Lofos Strefi: Do you remember before the election that it became a whole issue, because some people argued that some groups are active and create commotions. I argued that this is not the case. Because the problem in Strefi is geodesy and not to create balconies on the peaks and that what the residents of the area are asking for is free access to public space. Well, that’s what the SC said too. OPANDA: I argue that in periods of transition, they cannot decide on very large social organizations, such as the Sports and Culture Organization that employs 800 people, to close it and I have to integrate it in a gap of time, on January 1st in the Municipality. It is a movement, without study. This is what the SC said. I say this to note that I want cooperation, but not in terms of submission. I want to unite, not divide, but in a direction that is functional and effective and improves the lives of citizens, but also have the tools to advance these issues.”

As for her “Regeneration SA” said that “It is a decision in the wrong direction. It’s a setback. The Municipality of Athens cannot not participate in an organization that will implement projects in Athens. I am not saying anything different from what Dora Bakoyannis said a few years ago when this Organization was founded without the participation of the Municipality of Athens. They cannot design in Athens without Athens”

End, for “Athens 9.84” he pointed out “I read the relevant reports, according to which they plan to take 9.84 from the municipality. And of course it will be a very big setback. In other words, the municipal radio should leave the municipality. We’re going back 40 years. That is why I say that he needs a new approach and that the discussion about the autonomy of self-government should not be only in words, but should be with actions, to have tools. Of course with transparency, with accountability, with efficiency and with an evaluation of our work. But let’s have the tools, otherwise the first level of self-government will end up begging ministers to find some funding to do a very small project without actually having the ability to intervene in the neighborhoods as is the case today.”