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K. Bakoyannis: The masks have fallen – The withdrawal of the opposition proved it today

The opposition’s attempt to transfer polarization and toxicity from the central political stage to the Municipal Council was denounced tonight by the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis during the meeting of the Board of Directors, while he criticized the departure of the factions immediately after the vote with the which rejected their demand to discuss a resolution of the Geroulanos faction on the Androulaki case.

Mr. Bakoyiannis criticized the opposition factions, stressing that they are looking for petty political alibi, politically investing in the defeats of Athens and resorting to artificial tensions and extreme provocations.

“I am very sorry for the attitude of the opposition colleagues. One thing is clear: That our municipal council is not being blackmailed or threatened. Polarization and toxicity do not help to solve the problems of Athens. Just as the transfer of its conflicts does not help central political scene in local government. Artificial tension does not help, extreme provocations do not help,” said Mr. Bakoyiannis and continued: “The masks, however, have now fallen. Exarchia, the infrastructure on Strefi Hill, the 1,200 children in the schools or the Theater in Lycabettus. They are the ones who are looking for petty political alibi. They are the same ones who invest politically in the defeats of Athens. However, they are fighting in the shadows and belong to the past.” emphasized and concluded: “Our meeting continues as normal. It is our duty to provide real solutions to the real problems. With calmness, sobriety, with political culture. After all, the sovereignty of all of us can be seen in practice”.

The opposition factions refused to accept the result of the vote, while earlier the Mayor of Athens had pointed out: “From the first moment as a faction we are fighting to separate the central political scene from the self-government. We have always done it. You will allow me to say before the elections, when SYRIZA and ANEL were in government, we did it also after the elections with the ND government. We have remained faithful to this position”.

Mr. Bakoyiannis emphasized that it is not only a matter of principle, but actually shows how he perceives self-government.

“We do not perceive the self-government as a follow-up to the Parliament and the central political scene. We do not perceive the self-government as a “sidekick” of the parties. We do not perceive the self-government as the protected “minor child” of the country’s political system. The opposite. We perceive self-government as strong and independent. That’s why we try not to let this toxic cloud cover the Parliament, cover our municipal council, but instead do our job. Focus on the real problems of the people.”

Source: Capital

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