Greek police are enforcing a series of extraordinary traffic regulations in the greater Athens area today December 7, on the occasion of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Traffic in the city will also be impacted by the ongoing taxi strike which is connected to a vote on a new proposed tax bill taking place today in Parliament.

These traffic adjustments will be gradually implemented based on prevailing traffic conditions, covering sections of the following main road axes, while side streets will also be affected:

  • Katechaki Ave.
  • Mesogeion Ave.
  • Vasilissis Sofias Ave.
  • Leoforos Kifisias
  • Vasilissis Konstantinou Ave.
  • Vasilissis Amalias Ave.
  • Alexandras Ave.
  • Michalakopoulou Str.
  • Stadiou Str.
  • Panepistimiou Str.
  • Acadimias Str.

Traffic Police has laid out plans to facilitate motorists’ movements while urging drivers to comply with said instructions of traffic regulators for their convenience.

Ban on Gatherings in Athens

Law enforcement has banned public outdoor assemblies and gatherings for security and public safety reasons during the official visit of Erdogan. This ban will be in effect from 06:00 to 18:00 on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in the following areas:

  • The area enclosed by the streets/avenues: Alexandras – left Kifisias – right Katechaki – continuation Panagioti Kanellopoulou – right Kokkinopoulou – continuation Gkanogianni – continuation Georgiou Papandreou – continuation Ulof Palme – continuation Ymittou – continuation Iliou Iliou – right Vouliagmenis – left Vourvachi – continuation Chatzichristou – continuation Roberou Gale – continuation Apostolou Pavlou – left Irakleidon – continuation Persefonis – right Piraeus – continuation P. Tsaldari – left Omonia Square – left Panepistimiou – left 28th October (Patision) – right Alexandras.
  • On the section of the Attiki Odos from the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” to the interchange of the Peripheral Ymittos with Leoforos Katechaki, on the section of Leoforos Katechaki from the exit of the Peripheral Ymittos to the intersection with Kokkinopoulou Street, along the entire length of Leoforos Kanellopoulou, and within a radius of one hundred (100) meters on either side of the aforementioned road sections, including bridges, uneven intersections, and crossings along these.

Traffic restrictions will also be in effect in the area surrounding the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos.”

Taxi Strike

The Athens Taxi Drivers’ Union (SATA) announced that drivers in the Attica region have extended their strike until 6AM Friday morning.

Freelance taxi drivers all around the country have applied the brakes on their operations since Monday morning in protest of the new tax bill, which they say is a “flagrant plan to eradicate any form of individual entrepreneurship.”

According to the Union, more than 1500 taxis participated in an organized protest yesterday en route to the Hellenic Parliament Building in the center of Athens, while an additional one is scheduled for 5 PM this afternoon. It is unclear whether or not this will take place on account of the ban on public gatherings, mentioned above.

Discussions and subsequent voting on the contentious legislation will continue today at 9 AM at the Hellenic Parliament.