After a harsh and costly struggle, marked by the hunger strikes of Aristotelis Chantzis (129 days) and Suzon Doppagne (44 days), and a massive solidarity movement across Greece and internationally—which, in fact, led 33 Members of the European Parliament (from the Left, Greens, Socialists, and Non-Affiliated) to submit a question to the European Commission, the Mayor of Athens now acknowledges that the consultation with those directly affected, which is required by law, has not taken place.
Contrary to the government’s official claims in Parliament (responses by Papathanasis and Spanakis to the topical questions posed by E. Tsakalotos, A. Kazamias, and Z. Konstantopoulou), on the one hand regarding an allegedly exhausted dialogue and on the other regarding fearmongering, as well as the threats of mass eviction by government spokesperson P. Marinakis in response to C. Avramidis’s question, emphasizing “that the law is above human rights,” it is clear that a closed-door dialogue—which excludes the Community that has lived in, cared for, and defended Prosfygika for nearly 20 years—is simply invalid.
The Mayor of Athens took the initiative to seek “the broadest possible social consensus,” recognizing the Community as the most natural partner in this process. He also calls on Regional Governor N. Chardalias, the government, all political parties, and the relevant institutions to take a positive stance in this dialogue.
We view this initiative positively and as a step in the right direction. Consequently, we accept the invitation and declare that we are here, open to a substantive dialogue, without preconceived decisions, with the Community as the natural dialogue partner and where every discussion will begin with the recognition of the existing reality: that Prosfygika is not an empty space, but a vibrant Community of people, with social structures and a historical presence spanning decades.
The Mayor of Athens, by virtue of his institutional role, has the power to prevent the continuation of the regional governor’s and the government’s plans for the reppression and destruction of the Community, as he is the official responsible for social housing and the licensing of any construction work.
For our part, we expect this initiative not to remain merely on paper; we expect words to be turned into action and the willingness to engage in dialogue to be immediately translated into formal invitations.
Pending further developments, we are suspending the entry of new hunger strikers, as we committed to doing during the press conference we held at on May 25, 2026. Hunger strikers Aristotelis Chantzis and Suzon Doppagne continue the struggle, awaiting—as we all do—a positive response from all parties as soon as possible to find a solution.
We continue to fight so that Prosfygika remain a vibrant Community, a social project of social housing, solidarity, of common benefit, and collective memory.
Community of Squatted Prosfygika
June 13, 2026, Athens