Greek government survives vote of no confidence following train accident with 57 casualties

The Greek Parliament convened late Thursday evening to vote on a motion of no confidence against the conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The motion was ultimately rejected, with 159 MPs voting against it and 141 in favor, allowing the government to remain in office. The social democratic party Pasok initiated the vote of no confidence, supported by all opposition parties.

The focus of the motion was a serious train accident that occurred about a year ago near the city of Larisa, resulting in the deaths of 57 people. The station manager in Larisa confessed to directing a train onto the wrong track, leading to the collision. The opposition accused the government of manipulating evidence, alleging that radio conversations between train drivers and a station master were leaked and manipulated to shift blame onto the station manager.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis admitted that the state bore some responsibility for the accident due to inadequate safety systems, but emphasized that the station manager’s actions were a crucial factor. The investigation revealed poor conditions of the railway network and safety precautions. The date for court proceedings regarding the accident remains uncertain.

In the aftermath of the tragic accident, protests and clashes erupted in Athens, reflecting the severity of the situation. The incident has highlighted concerns about the state of Greece’s railway system and the need for accountability and improvements in safety measures.