Ahead of parliamentary debates on the 2023 Tempi train disaster, Greek opposition parties have intensified their criticism of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The renewed political pressure follows massive nationwide protests on Friday, marking the two-year anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 57 lives. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, demanding justice and accountability for what many see as systemic failures in Greece’s railway system.
The center-left PASOK party accused Mitsotakis of evading responsibility. “The Prime Minister remains unrepentant despite the overwhelming protests of the Greek people,” the party stated, condemning his government for nepotism, cronyism, and inaction on railway safety.
SYRIZA issued even sharper criticism, calling Mitsotakis’ remarks “a monument to audacity, apathy, and hypocrisy.” The party accused the government of using police force to suppress demonstrations while feigning concern over railway reforms only in response to public outrage. “The Greek people have spoken in cities across the country—his government must resign,” their statement concluded.
On Friday, Alexis Charitsis, leader of the SYRIZA splinter party Nea Aristera (New Left), directly called for Mitsotakis’ resignation. “Today is a historic day for democracy. The Greek people have delivered a clear vote of no confidence in a delegitimized government,” he declared, urging an immediate end to police crackdowns.
In response, Mitsotakis acknowledged the large demonstrations in a social media post on Sunday, urging the public to trust the judicial investigation. “I appeal once again—let us allow justice to do its work without political interference,” he wrote.
An off-the-agenda parliamentary debate on the Tempi rail disaster is scheduled for March 5.
