The Greek government is facing a motion of censure after PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis tabled the motion in Parliament on Wednesday, March 5.
Co-signed by 85 deputies from PASOK, SYRIZA, Nea Aristera, Plefsi Eleftherias, and independent members, the motion criticises the government’s handling of the deadly Tempi train crash.
The motion follows massive public demonstrations on January 26 and February 28, where citizens voiced their outrage over the government’s responsibility in the accident, which killed 57 people.
The motion accuses the government of attempting to cover up its role in the incident, which occurred when two trains ran on the same line for 12 minutes, leading to the collision.
Μιλάτε για αξιοκρατία εσείς, κ. Μητσοτάκη. Προσωπικά δεν έχω κάνει ποτέ ούτε ένα ρουσφέτι στη ζωή μου. Ούτε έχω ποτέ διορίσει κανέναν στο δημόσιο. Αν τα δικά σας ρουσφέτια και τα διαχρονικά ρουσφέτια της οικογένειάς σας, τα βάλουμε σε μία γραμμή, είναι μεγαλύτερα από τη γραμμή… pic.twitter.com/P05OgyxzEU
— Nikos Androulakis (@androulakisnick) March 5, 2025
The government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for immediate discussion of the motion.
Under Parliament rules, this triggers a three-day debate, with the final vote requiring an absolute majority of the 300 deputies for the censure to pass.
As the debate unfolds, protests continue to grow in intensity.
On Wednesday, March 5, a large rally took place in Athens’ Syntagma Square, where demonstrators demanded justice for the victims of the train disaster.
Thousands of people, including trade unions, students, and social organisations, gathered in the square, which was blocked off by the authorities.
Protests were also held in other cities such as Heraklion, Larissa and Patra.
The rally in Athens turned violent later in the evening when assailants clashed with police, setting fire to trash bins and throwing Molotov cocktails.
Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, resulting in the detention of 32 individuals.
“We will be here every day,” rally speaker Maria Karystianou told the crowd, which also released 57 lanterns in honour of the victims.
With growing unrest and widespread public demand for accountability, the motion of censure threatens to further destabilise the government as it faces mounting pressure for justice and safe railway transportation.
Source: Ekathimerini.
