Mitsotakis urges unity and warns against political exploitation ahead of Tempe anniversary protests

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the upcoming protests marking the anniversary of the Tempe railway disaster on Wednesday, urging respect for the victims’ memory while warning that political exploitation and division pose a risk to domestic stability.

“Many of our fellow citizens will gather in squares across the country to honor the memory of the victims. They will send a clear message that the truth must prevail and the guilty must be held accountable. They will demand safe public transportation from the state,” Mitsotakis told his cabinet on Wednesday, highlighting the government’s responsibility to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to free expression.

However, Mitsotakis cautioned that “some seek to turn this collective mourning into an opportunity for further division. They aim to exploit the pain of the victims for their own political objectives.”

“We have a duty to prevent any questioning of our internal stability,” he added, noting that the country had paid a ‘high price’ for divisions during the bailout period. “Those who see Friday as a turning point for violent upheaval will find us standing in opposition.”

In conclusion, the prime minister delivered a message of unity, stating, “We are here to bring Greeks together: both the protesters and those who will quietly commemorate the anniversary.”

The February 28, 2023, crash claimed 57 lives. The government is facing allegations of a cover-up as the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. 

Source: pagenews.gr