Greek election to be held in May under shadow of deadly train crash

·

Greece will hold general elections in May, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a television interview on Tuesday.

No exact date was given for the polls.

Mitsotakis’ term officially ends in July, ahead of which a second ballot may be needed if the first vote fails to produce a majority or a multi-party coalition.

According to Ekathimerini, opinion polls show his New Democracy party’s lead over the leftist opposition SYRIZA party shrinking following Greece’s worst rail disaster on February 28.

Mitsotakis in his first television interview after Greece’s train crash.

The accident, which saw a passenger train and a freight train collide head on at Tempi, killed 57 people and stirred anger and mass protests over railway safety standards.

Mitsotakis has apologised for a delayed plan to install safety systems across Greece’s 2,500 kilometre rail network. He said visiting the crash scene was “tough,” but that he did not consider resigning.

“I aim to win elections again and I believe that we will eventually succeed,” he said.

This announcement came as train services in Greece resumed on Wednesday for the first time since the deadly rail disaster three weeks ago.

Trains restarted in Greece on Wednesday.

National and suburban train services restarted only along limited sections of the rail network, with additional train and station staff and compulsory speed reduction points at areas where the potential for a collision is considered higher.

Full services will resume on April 11, including railway transportation between Athens and Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki.

Source: Ekathimerini and AP News.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin threatens legal action over octopus dispute

The Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin is threatening legal action against the NT Government following a food safety dispute over octopus.

‘Want to honour legacy’: Con Kalamaras on Estudiantina’s soulful tribute to Greek music icons

In the lead-up to the show, The Greek Herald spoke with Estudiantina member and organiser Con Kalamaras about what to expect.

Meet the Greek sisters behind Adora: A 30-year legacy of handmade chocolate and heart

If you’re looking for a new spot in Sydney to satisfy your sweet cravings, Adora Handmade Chocolates is the place to be.

Young artists shine in ‘First Light’ exhibition at opening of That Art Place in Carlton

More than 65 young artists from the St George area in Sydney had their creative moment in the spotlight on Saturday, July 12.

Peter Tsolakides leads Australia’s first cryonics facility amid scientific doubts

Peter Tsolakides, founder of Southern Cryonics, is leading Australia's venture into cryonic preservation with a facility near Holbrook, NSW.

You May Also Like

‘The Greek light is unique’: Angelina Jolie expresses her love for Greece

Angelina Jolie expressed her great love for Greece in an interview about her film MARIA along with director Pablo Larrain, in London.

Juliana Charpantidou to give online seminar on the revolutionary definition of Greek identity

Juliana Charpantidou will give a lecture, 'Who is Greek? - The revolutionary definition of Greek identity,' on Thursday, September 2.

Greek olive oils win big at Anatolian Oil Competition

Olive oils from all over Greece have taken home high scores at this year’s Anatolian International Olive Oil Competition.