Tables take over: Athens’ unending street wars

Restaurant tables and chairs person invaded Athens sidewalks so aggressively that pedestrians tin hardly walk, with seating present extending to the steps of Agia Irini Church connected Aiolou Street.

The situation reached a breaking constituent during Holy Week, when churchgoers had to navigate astir cafe tables and hookah pipes placed straight astatine the religion entrance. Similar problems plague Karytsi Square, where operation has worsened already impassable sidewalks.

Municipal constabulary tin good businesses exceeding permitted outdoor seating areas and temporarily unopen them down and confiscate furniture, storing it astatine metropolis facilities while owners wage removal costs. Authorities tin besides seal establishments temporarily.

However, these measures beryllium ineffective arsenic amerciable tables rapidly return. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas admits fines outgo little than profits businesses marque from illegally occupying nationalist space.

City sources accidental enforcement will intensify successful downtown areas where the situation has spiraled retired of control. Plans for painted boundaries marking ineligible seating areas stay stalled.

The Digital Policy Ministry is processing a citizen-reporting level akin to formation monitoring apps, but implementation faces delays.