Olympiakos run for Mayor of Piraeus

“I share common concerns with the majority of Piraeus citizens, and with influential people who love Piraeus, for the present and future of our city.” Yannis Moralis mentions  in his brief statement confirming his candidacy for Piraeus mayor. He states bluntly that his goal is to serve the citizens and promote their best interest, whereas he doesn't hind his connection to the management of the Olympiakos. Yannis Moralis is vice president of the Olympiakos team and president of Super League, the organizing principle of the Greek football league. In the ballot of Yannis Moralis we will see Mr. Vangelis Marinakis as a candidate for city councillor as well as, according to reliable information, the former vice president of the Olympiakos team, Mr. Petros Kokkalis.

Vangelis Marinakis welcomed the initiative of Moralis making clear his intentions for  the cooperation. In his announcement, the owner and president of the Olympiakos team states that “The nomination of Yannis Moralis is one of victory”, while adding that “Piraeus must be victorious and become a model of management, development and prosperity for all. I am running as City Councillor and stand next to Yannis Moralis, for the great upset”.

On behalf of Mr Petros Kokkalis, there hasn't been yet an official confirmation about his candidacy, but it seems clearly that Moralis claims the mayoralty on behalf of the wider family of Olympiakos. It is known, moreover, that at least the most hardcore fans of the Reds have openly expressed their displeasure for the current mayor of Piraeus, Mr. Vassilis Michaloliakos.

Last January, the “Gate 7” fun club stressed its dislike for the actions and attitude of Mr Michaloliakos by posting a relative statement on Facebook regarding the memorial of the victims of Gate 7. As it was stated, Mr. Michaloliakos sent invitations for the memorial, an action that was seen as a political movement for gaining votes and provoked the fury of the fun club. The posting mentioned that: “We are clearly stating that the outbound Mayor of Piraeus was never nor will he ever become part of the Olympiakos family, he is not welcomed in Karaiskakis”.

The above incident might be the answer to why the world of Olympiakos responded actively and directly through the upper level management of the club regarding the claiming of the municipality of Piraeus. It is quite certain that Mr. Michaloliakos doesn't have many friends within the Olympiakos club.

Mr. Moralis aspires to win the upcoming municipal elections and to demonstrate that the organizational skills can be put in the service of not only the Olympiakos and Greek football, but also the needs of the municipality of Piraeus. He also stresses that “Piraeus has been the star of my life. I studied at the University of Priaeus, worked and still work in Piraeus, and through my 20-year journey in Olympiacos, I have experienced the city, the neighborhoods, the people, and their problems”.

In addition to the above, Yannis Moralis has a family history in civic engagement. He is the son of Petros Moralis, one of the founders of PASOK and a close associate of Andreas Papandreou. The 46-year candidate had run for prefectural advisor in 1998 for the Prefect of Athens – Piraeus.