The municipal factions Open City, Popular Rally of Athens, Rebellion in the neighborhoods of Athens and Anti-Capitalist Upheaval in Athens expressed their strong opposition to the conclusion of a contract between the Municipality of Athens and the Red Cross for Drakopoulos Park.

Support that in the contract there is no strategy for uses and ownership and they repeated their request – which is also a request of the residents of the area – to declare the area of ​​common green.

In the discussion, the residents of the area of ​​Patisia, members of the Open Assembly in defense of Drakopoulos park, also took the floor.

“We have discussed a strategic goal which is to save green spaces. With the agreement we are discussing, we are taking a step back because we are worsening our negotiating position. There doesn’t seem to be a strategy from the Municipality of Athens, neither for the question of uses, nor for the question of ownership, nor for the building,” emphasized Nasos Iliopoulos from Open City. “It is as if we accept that the Greek Red Cross has the first say for the entire area. While it seems that we are winning the space for 8 years, in reality it is as if we are making a retreat as when the time period is over the EES will say the approval of the municipality to do some things” warned Mr. Iliopoulos and asked again for the park to be proclaimed common green space.

Harmful to the municipal and public interest, Nikos Sofianos from the People’s Rally of Athens characterized the handling of the issue by the municipal administration. “For eight years, the municipality will shape the area, take care of it, but essentially recognize the full ownership of the EES in the entire area that the municipality has had since 1981. The Hellenic Red Cross will take it and make its own business plan” emphasized Mr. Sofianos. “Don’t go through with this deal. Do not sign the transfer of ownership while the site of this acreage is in this area. Make regeneration a reality. Let’s shape the park and let’s look for properties” added Nikos Sofianos.

The withdrawal of the specific plan was also requested by Petros Constantinou from the Rebellion in the neighborhoods of Athens. There is a past of right-wing mayors. Other parks want you to make them under parking lots. They wanted to build a large mall in this particular area. Today, you come with another narrative: that of regeneration. Today you come to do this negotiation in the absence of the residents. You get to talk to a Red Cross as if there has not been a decade of scandals,” emphasized Petros Constantinou and requested that the plan be withdrawn and that the municipal services take care of the park.

Panagiotis Kefallinos from the Anti-Capitalist Upheaval in Athens accused the municipal authority of serving other interests and not those residents. “I don’t understand why you are so against it. Why do you not once say “yes, let’s discuss” to the opinions expressed by the residents, said Mr. Kefallinos, addressing Mr. Bakoyannis.

Open City, Popular Rally of Athens, Riot in the Neighborhoods of Athens and Anti-Capitalist Overthrow in Athens voted against the agreement which was nevertheless approved by a majority.

Magda Bouloukou