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Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece, once enjoyed a reputation for political invulnerability. Emblematic of the European centre-right, he effectively maintained control over his opponents while other mainstream conservative leaders confronted the rise of populist movements. His tenure was marked by reforms and relative stability after a prolonged period of economic and societal turmoil.
However, a catastrophic train collision in February 2023 has ignited widespread protests, revealing vulnerabilities in his leadership. The disaster, which took place when a northbound passenger train collided with a southbound freight train in the Vale of Tempe, resulted in the deaths of 57 individuals, predominantly students traveling to Thessaloniki. This incident, described as one of the worst rail disasters in Greece’s history, led to an unprecedented call for Mitsotakis to resign, as protestors gathered outside the Athens parliament.
The motion for a vote of confidence, proposed by a coalition of four left-wing opposition parties, underscored a growing discontent with the government’s accountability regarding safety lapses in the rail system. Despite the ruling party’s majority enabling Mitsotakis to survive the confidence vote, the underlying allegations of negligence and possible attempts to obscure the truth continue to resonate in the public discourse.
Witnesses reported that, shortly after 11 PM on that fateful night of February 28, the two trains, lacking automated safety systems, traveled several miles on the same track before the devastating impact occurred. An official report revealed that, in the aftermath, some victims were so severely burned that their remains were never identified, exacerbating the national grief.
Just days prior to the tragedy, then-Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis criticized opponents for raising concerns regarding railway safety, a statement now viewed with profound irony and anger by the grieving populace.
In the wake of the disaster, public demonstrations emerged, with advocates declaring, “We stand as the voice of all the dead.” Protesters, including victims’ families, called for justice, highlighting a perceived governmental cover-up. Many expressed a shared sentiment that the lost lives could belong to anyone’s loved ones, supporting the collective demand for accountability.
The demonstrations that followed were historic, drawing hundreds of thousands to Syntagma Square and various cities both domestically and internationally. This swell of public dissent has been labeled the largest public outcry since Greece’s military junta ended, uniting diverse groups against the government’s perceived failures.
The deep-seated reverence Greeks have for their culture and community fueled the outrage. A medic, observing makeshift memorials for the deceased, conveyed a poignant desire for truth and accountability, criticizing the rapid clearing of the crash site that may have compromised critical evidence.
In debates surrounding the confidence vote, Mitsotakis defended the decision to expedite site cleanup as part of rescue efforts, accusing opposition factions of politicizing the tragedy for their gain. Nevertheless, the disconnect between the prime minister’s crisis management skills and public sentiment has become starkly apparent.
With no significant accountability measures implemented and a trial pending, public support seems fragile. Recent polls indicate significant demand among voters for early elections, despite Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party maintaining a lead over rivals.
As the repercussions of the Tempe disaster unfold, Mitsotakis confronts a larger crisis involving distrust towards his administration. Prominent columnist Alexis Papachelas reflected on this situation, highlighting the arrogance of a government that believes public relations tactics can mask serious transgressions. He suggested that the prime minister must reevaluate his decision-making and consider the broader expectations that brought him to leadership.
Source
www.theguardian.com