Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the 8th Thessaloniki Summit on Wednesday, February 19, where he responded to opposition accusations and criticism regarding his government’s handling of the Tempi train tragedy.
Mitsotakis condemned what he called a “swamp” of political toxicity designed to destabilize Greece’s political landscape, warning that “the masks will fall” in Parliament.
He rejected claims that his government was covering up the 2023 Tempi train disaster, which killed 57 people. “This is not mere polarization; it is an orchestrated effort to drag political life through the mud,” he said. “The goal is clear: to destabilize the government and harm the prime minister.”
“I have heard many lies throughout my political career… We’ve been called ‘smugglers,’ a ‘gang of pedophiles,’ and now, ‘murderers.’ Enough with this disgrace. This must stop—we cannot continue in such a toxic political climate,” Mitsotakis declared.
The Greek Prime Minister emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in Parliament, asserting: “If they want to challenge us, let them bring it to Parliament. There, the truth will be revealed.”
He also reiterated his commitment to leading Greece through turbulent times. “My foremost duty is to keep our nation steady. I will fulfill this duty.”
On calls for justice over the Tempi tragedy, Mitsotakis insisted that the proper legal processes should prevail, not “public trials or internet trolls.” He also challenged the opposition, saying that if they could not organize a no-confidence motion, the government would bring the issue to Parliament once the official report is released, ensuring a transparent discussion.
Commenting on the issue of European defense security amid a seismic shift in U.S. Foreign policy priorities, Mitsitakis emphasized that he has repeatedly spoken about the “need for Europe to wake up from the geopolitical and economic lethargy in which it has unfortunately fallen.”
