The discussion on establishing a preliminary investigative committee regarding the Tempe train tragedy will begin on 4 March with a parliamentary debate scheduled for March 5, according to the government spokesperson. PM engages in political debate over tempe tragedy

Political tensions rise over the Tempe disaster

PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the Thessaloniki Summit, accused the opposition of engaging in toxic rhetoric aimed at destabilizing the political landscape.

“This is not just polarization; this is outright vulgar toxicity. The goal is to drag political life into the mud and create instability.”

He condemned accusations against his government, stating: “I have heard many lies in my political career, but now we are even being called murderers. Enough with this slander!” He asserted that his government was elected for a four-year term and would continue its work until 2027.

The opposition parties, including PASOK and SYRIZA, fired back. PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis dismissed Mitsotakis’ concerns over political instability as a defensive excuse whenever his authority is threatened. SYRIZA, meanwhile, accused the PM of portraying himself as a victim, while actually being responsible for covering up government failures.

Government defends itself against cover-up allegations

Government officials strongly denied any attempt to cover up the Tempe disaster, criticizing the opposition for politicizing the tragedy. Minister Adonis Georgiadis argued that public sentiment alone does not define truth, stating: “There is no cover-up; I am neither a murderer nor a smuggler.”

Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis warned that the opposition’s toxic rhetoric not only threatens political stability but also erodes public trust in institutions. He added: “Justice is delivered by the judicial system, not by public trials or online trolls.”

Opposition demands accountability

Opposition leaders remained firm in their stance. SYRIZA accused the government of deliberately downplaying the rule of law, while PASOK’s Androulakis emphasized the party’s commitment to an independent judiciary to ensure justice for all citizens.

SYRIZA MP Sokratis Famellos alleged that the government manipulated the narrative, stating: “They put words in my mouth because they were afraid of the rest of what I said. The government fears two things: opinion polls and the people. It fears that 80% of citizens believe it is responsible for a cover-up.”

The New Left party issued a strong response, declaring:

“We suggest the Prime Minister and his ministers stop pointing fingers and drop the tired excuse of ‘enough with this vileness’ and their absurd claims of a destabilization plot.”

KKE (Greek Communist Party) MP Nikos Abatielos claimed the government was under pressure from grassroots movements, while Hellenic Solution leader Kyriakos Velopoulos accused Mitsotakis of attempting to dodge responsibility for the tragedy.

Calls for transparency and further investigation

Course for Freedom leader Zoe Konstantopoulou insisted that a crime had been committed and demanded an explanation for why those responsible had not yet been held accountable.

Mitsotakis responded by challenging the opposition:

“I look forward to the parliamentary debate. Let’s remove the masks, dismantle all conspiracy theories, and explain to the Greek people what we have done and what we will do to address any mistakes. If the opposition cannot organize itself to propose a no-confidence motion, I assure you that after the relevant report is published, the government will initiate a full parliamentary debate.”

He also emphasized: “The country’s ability to navigate these uncharted waters with security is our top priority.”

Source: ERT

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