Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reflected on the tragic events of the Tempi rail disaster addressing the Cabinet on Wednesday, February 26. He referred to the incident as a national tragedy that should unite the country in the pursuit of truth and justice, while also confronting long-standing errors and inefficiencies within the state apparatus.
Regarding the protests and nationwide strikes scheduled for Friday, to commemorating the two years from the tragic train crash that claimed the lives of 57 people, Mitsotakis emphasized that “the day after tomorrow, many citizens will gather in the squares to honor the memory of the victims and send the obvious message that the truth must come to light and those responsible must be punished.”
However, he also acknowledged that some protesters would voice their discontent with the government, emphasizing the state’s duty to ensure that police forces would be present to protect both participants and their right to assemble.
The prime minister directed his criticism at the opposition, claiming that some sought to turn the national grief into political division, reducing it to a mere slogan for their own political gain. He warned that “some seek to turn national grief into a call for destabilization.”
Mitsotakis stressed the importance of maintaining internal stability, stating that the country had paid a steep price for the turmoil of past years and would not repeat those experiences. “Those who envision tomorrow as a milestone for violent upheaval will find us opposed,” emphasized Mitsotakis.
Mitsotakis made it clear that society does not want to descend into internal instability amid an already uncertain international landscape.
He invited the opposition to submit a motion of no confidence if they wished, reaffirming that in democracy, there are no dead ends, and this would be proven once more.
The prime minister concluded by emphasizing that the government’s role was to unite all Greeks. Drawing a parallel to the aftermath of the 2018 Mati fires, where the tragedy led to effective civil protection reforms, Mitsotakis suggested that the Tempi disaster should similarly serve as a turning point for the modernization of Greece’s railway system.
“We are here to unite Greeks, including the many who will protest on Friday. Just as the grief over Mati became a catalyst for effective civil protection, let Tempi serve as a turning point for achieving a modern railway system,” Mitsotakis stated.
