Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the 8th Thessaloniki Summit on Wednesday, February 19, where he addressed opposition criticism regarding his government’s handling of the Tempi train tragedy.
Mitsotakis denounced what he described as a “swamp” of political toxicity aimed at destabilizing Greece’s political landscape, warning that “the masks will fall” in Parliament.
He dismissed accusations that his government was covering up the 2023 Tempi train disaster, which claimed 57 lives. “This goes beyond political polarization; it is a calculated effort to drag public discourse into the mud,” he stated. “The objective is clear: to undermine the government and discredit the prime minister.”
“I have heard many lies throughout my career… We’ve been labeled ‘smugglers,’ a ‘gang of pedophiles,’ and now, ‘murderers.’ This disgrace must end. We cannot allow political debate to remain this toxic,” Mitsotakis asserted.
He stressed that these issues should be addressed in Parliament, declaring: “If they want to challenge us, let them do so in Parliament. That is where the truth will be revealed.”
Reaffirming his commitment to stability, Mitsotakis stated, “My primary duty is to keep our nation on course, and I will fulfill this responsibility.”
Addressing demands for justice over the Tempi tragedy, he emphasized that legal procedures—not “public trials or internet speculation”—should determine accountability. He also challenged the opposition, stating that if they could not bring forward a no-confidence motion, the government would initiate a parliamentary debate once the official report is released to ensure transparency.
On European defense and security, particularly in light of shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities, Mitsotakis reiterated his stance that Europe must awaken from the “geopolitical and economic lethargy in which it has unfortunately fallen.”
