His sources speak of publications which “emanate from circles that have learned to operate in the dark”. Municipality of Athens regarding the direct assignment to former minister Katerina Batzeli in order to provide consultancy services to his Municipality development company.

The same sources state that “the new Municipal Authority of Athens selects its partners with the sole criterion of their merit. It has chosen and will continue to choose executives with knowledge, skills and experience, not based on which party they belong to and what they vote for. The legal procedures we follow are those adopted in all the Municipalities of the country for partners and consultants of the administration.

That is why among the partners of the Municipality, there are worthy executives who worked successfully, alongside and in previous municipal authorities, such as with Dora Bakoyannis, Giorgos Kaminas, Kostas Bakoyannis, people who come from many different political areas, and close longtime collaborators of the current President of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis”.

In detail, his sources from the Municipality of Athens stated: “We expected it! With a series of malicious publications, some are attempting to harm the Municipality of Athens, its employees, and ultimately the Municipality’s effort to produce work for the benefit of the Athenians.

It doesn’t surprise us. The circles from which these reports emanate have learned to operate in the dark and in unscrupulous ways.

We tell them they are in vain.

The new Municipal Authority of Athens selects its partners, with the sole criterion of their merit. He chose and will continue to choose executives with knowledge, skills and experience, and not based on which party they belong to and what they vote for. The legal procedures we follow are those adopted in all the Municipalities of the country for partners and consultants of the administration.

That is why among the partners of the Municipality, there are worthy executives who worked successfully, alongside and in previous municipal authorities, such as with Dora Bakoyannis, Giorgos Kaminas, Kostas Bakoyannis, people who come from many different political areas, and close lifelong associates of the current President of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis.

We always proceed with transparency. Posting all the decisions of the Municipality and its legal entities in the transparency. All in the light. And so we will continue, in defiance of those who choose the path of slander, distortion, and undermining.

We announce to those who are planning to undermine, that we will not follow them on their slippery path, that we will defend the Municipality and its workers. We call on them to leave the Municipality out of pointless fights, small-minded confrontations.

We declare that we will continue to proceed in accordance with the current legislation, with transparency and meritocracy as allies, and with the sole aim of improving life for the Athenians every day.

We make it clear that we will not tolerate games with the Municipality. End.”