Tensions flared in the Greek Parliament Friday as barbs were exchanged between Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of the Course for Freedom party, and Government Spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis. The dispute centered on accusations regarding the government’s handling of the 2023 Tempi rail disaster, which claimed 57 lives and has now led to allegations of a government cover-up.
Marinakis, following the government’s firm stance against opposition attacks, dismissed Konstantopoulou’s claims, accusing her of “pretending to be a prosecutor” and undermining the separation of powers. “Are you interested in justice? Of course not,” he said. “You are interested in serving the purposes of your own propaganda. Otherwise, you would let the justice system do its job.”
Konstantopoulou fired back, insisting that “the government should be on the stand” and declaring, “That’s why you see me as a prosecutor, because you see me as an accused. And you should stand before the court as guilty.”
The debate grew more contentious when Marinakis accused Konstantopoulou of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. “If you accept being a party that survives by exploiting the suffering of some people, it characterizes you,” he charged. He insisted that the opposition was fabricating conspiracy theories to manipulate public sentiment, emphasizing that “those who exploit unrest always end up the same way.”
Konstantopoulou countered by accusing the government of orchestrating a cover-up from the moment of the disaster. “The overwhelming majority of people hold you responsible. You put the bulldozers to work immediately to hide your responsibilities so as not to lose the elections. Your families know it,” she asserted.
Beyond the fiery parliamentary debate, the government has continued to defend its handling of the Tempi disaster. Marinakis stated that “we see all ministers and MPs defending the truth about Tempi, maintaining an attitude befitting a 51-year-old democracy.” He argued that the judiciary, not political theatrics, would provide the answers.
Regarding calls to bring the issue before the European Parliament, Marinakis dismissed the idea as a political maneuver to “slander the country.” “This is a tragic accident under judicial investigation. Every reasonable person understands that only the judiciary can provide answers, not the European Parliament,” he argued.
As discussions continue over the possibility of an additional Parliamentary inquiry, Marinakis vowed that the government would no longer tolerate what he called “indirect slander” from the opposition. “There must be a limit to this vulgarity; we need this as a country, and it’s our duty.”
The heated exchange followed another row in Parliament about the recent death of 39-year-old Vassilis Kalogirou, son of the head of the Larissa Appeals Prosecutor’s Office.
