Parliament Convenes to Vote on Motion of No Confidence Against Greek Prime Minister over Train Accident Amid Protests and Safety Concerns

Late Thursday evening, the Greek Parliament convened to vote on a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government. The social democratic party Pasok initiated the vote, with support from all opposition parties. The motion’s focus was a serious train accident that occurred near Larisa about a year ago, 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 by leaking and manipulating radio conversations between train drivers and a station master to shift blame onto the station manager. However, 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. Despite this, court proceedings regarding the accident remain uncertain as protests and clashes erupted in Athens following the tragic incident, reflecting its severity. The incident has highlighted concerns about Greece’s railway system and the need for accountability and improvements in safety measures.