Following last Friday’s Greece-wide Tempi protest, where hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets to express their anger over what is widely perceived as a government cover-up, discussions surrounding the Tempi rail disaster are set to dominate Greek Parliament this week.
Investigative Committee, Parliamentary Debate
Greece’s main opposition party, PASOK, has proposed the establishment of a preliminary investigative committee to examine the role of former Deputy Minister Christos Triantopoulos in ordering the rapid restructuring of the Tempi accident site. Critics argue that the decision to clear and cement over the site was a key point of contention in the government’s handling of the tragedy, as they claim it occurred before a thorough investigation had been completed—and before all victims’ remains were properly recovered.
New Democracy is expected to support PASOK’s proposal in an effort to demonstrate transparency, while Triantopoulos is expected to take the floor in Parliament to defend his role in the aftermath of the disaster.
At the same time, a pre-scheduled parliamentary discussion on Tempi is set for Wednesday, following requests from SYRIZA and the Communist Party (KKE).
Motion of No Confidence Looms
Meanwhile, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis has announced plans to submit a motion of no confidence against the government—despite not yet securing the minimum 50 MPs required to bring the vote forward. To reach this threshold, PASOK will need to rally support from other opposition parties. Just last March the New Democracy faced -and survived- a no confidence motion over the Tempi rail disaster.
SYRIZA sources have emphasized the urgent need for accountability, stating: “We must respond to the public’s demand for scrutiny of the Mitsotakis government and jointly submit a motion of no confidence, co-drafted and co-signed by all progressive parties, without divisions or rivalry. The goal is clear: to remove this government as soon as possible and establish a progressive path forward.”
Similarly, members of the New Left have stressed the importance of a unified opposition, calling for a joint proposal signed by PASOK, SYRIZA, New Left, and Plefsi Eleftherias (Course to Freedom).
