The inauguration ceremony of the new municipal council of Piraeus took place at the jam-packed Municipal Theater of Piraeus under Draconian security measures. Many distinguished guests from the area were present at midday on Sunday. The new Mayor of Piraeus Yiannis Moralis was present and sat in the front row with shipping magnate and president of Olympiacos football club, Evangelos Marinakis.

Outgoing Piraeus Mayor Vasilis Mihaloliakos attended the ceremony though he had previously hinted that he would not be present.

“We are starting a new chapter for our city – a new municipal authority that wants Piraeus to open new horizons on development,” said Moralis during his greeting, and he characterized Piraeus as a “gateway” with many prospects. “We are aware that we are taking over at a difficult economic time for our country,” he said.

On his part, Marinakis said that Piraeus was “starting a new page” and pointed to his “passion” for the region of Piraeus. “This is where I was born, where I grew up, where I work,” he said. “I believe that the time has come for works that Piraeus needs to be constructed and for us to join together for the good of the city. There are no winners or losers. We must stand united to offer the best.”

Photos from the ceremony –