Athens is preparing to welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel with draconian security measures on Friday, April 11th 2014, a day after a powerful car bomb exploded in the middle of the city’s downtown. Some 5,000 police officers are to safeguard the areas where the German delegation will be moving around. Main roads in downtown will be closed to traffic at 3 p.m. and open again when the German Chancellor will depart from the city.
By order of Greek police, gatherings and protests are banned between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
However the ban will not hinder left-wing parties like SYRIZA – and according some information also public sector union ADEDY and municipality workers union POE-OTA – to hold protests at Klafthmonos Square Friday afternoon and thus after 5 o’ clock.
Metro stations <Evaggelismos> and <Megaron Mousikis> will close to public as of 1:30 p.m., metro stations <Syntagma> and <Acropolis> as of 6 pm.
PS I hope Angela Merkel will not wear the same old and meanwhile worn out jacket as she did during her last visit in October 2012.
