Athens mayor says citizens’ protection minister must step down
Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis on Tuesday said that the Greek capital is experiencing a “security vacuum” and called for the resignation of Citizens’ Protection Minister Nikos Toskas.
Kaminis made his comments after a meeting with PASOK chief Fofi Gennimata, saying that he is “puzzled” by the ministry’s inaction in response to spate of attacks on public infrastructure.
“There’s a security vacuum in Athens,” Kaminis said. “We are seeing kiosks being torched and last night three trolley buses.
“The municipality and its residents are trying to keep the city on its feet, but the problem is political. Mr. Toskas must resign. I demand his replacement,” the mayor said.
Gennimata also commented on the situation, particularly in central Athens, where three trolley buses were firebombed on Monday night.
Ten people were taken in for questioning over the incident, though no arrests have been announced yet.
No one was injured in the incident, which comes on top of a spate of similar attacks on public transport, including the smashing of ticket machines and booths at electric railway and metro stations.
The city, Gennimata said, “is constantly being degraded, with pockets of crime being formed and areas that are immune from policing.” She added that she supports the call for Toskas’s resignation and said she will be bringing up the issue of security in Parliament.
