The newly elected mayor of Athens – who defeated the incumbent, Kostas Bakoyiannis in a surprise victory – visited the Sanitation Department of the Municipality of Athens, and presented his first plans for tackling one of the issues challenging the capital for years. Doukas will assume his office at the beginning of the new year but has already been in the news due to an ambitious agenda.
Speaking to sanitation workers, the mayor-elect said, “During my term of office, the cleaning sector will be a priority. The image of the municipality is you. I know how difficult your work is and we want to provide you with all modern means to carry out your tasks.
“Our aim is to implement a comprehensive recycling programme, with the expansion of the blue and brown bins, raising public awareness and adopting ‘smart’ methods of waste collection. We want a clean and bright Athens. It is an emblematic goal for us, and it is up to all of us to achieve it. The green transition starts here.”
During his meetings with the current Deputy Mayor of Sanitation and Recycling, Nikos Avramidis – Doukas was informed about the ongoing sanitation programs, as well as the current needs of the Municipality of Athens. The elected Mayor of Athens was accompanied by the councillor of his “Athens NOW” faction who received the most votes in the October elections, Roxani Bei, who – as Doukas stated himself – will take over as Deputy Mayor of Sanitation and Recycling under his new administration.
Bei will be the first woman in the capital’s history to head sanitation. Bei happens to be the daughter of one of Doukas predecessors, Dimitris Beis. Doukas also visited the new waste transfer station in Eleonas, which will begin trial operations in a few days, and is expected to contribute – to the city’s integrated management of solid waste.
Doukas’ victory against Bakoyiannis – who narrowly missed re-election in the first round – has been the biggest political upset that ND has faced since its victory in the European Elections of 2019.
Although Doukas’ relationship with PASOK is not formal, his victory over Bakoyiannis has been interpreted as an indication that the Greek center-left may return to the center stage of Greek politics, especially as SYRIZA is collapsing in the polls after Alexis Tsipras’ departure from party leadership.
All eyes are on Doukas, who he has been vocal since his victory, on his positions, as well as on his plans for the first few months upon taking over the mayorship. It remains to be seen whether the former academic will live up to the people’s expectations, as his agenda clearly surpassed the limits of PASOK’s current electoral position, and attracted interest from a range of voters – including a number of conservative Athenians, who were disappointed with Bakoyiannis.
