The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is currently giving a full interview to Alpha.
The Prime Minister will respond, among other things, to the opposition parties’ accusations about the case of the train accident in Tempi, following the rallies held across the country on Sunday.
Key Points from the Prime Minister’s Interview:
- New Democracy amended the Constitution to ensure that political responsibilities are not subject to a statute of limitations.
- Justice is responsible for the evaluation.
- If there is a reference to a political figure, the government majority will not obstruct further investigation.
- The fact that Kostas Ach. Karamanlis is an MP does not affect any potential investigation into his criminal responsibility.
- The case files involve complaints from those involved, including against him, but they have not been assessed by the opposition in any way.
- “I am responsible for everything in the broader sense. Some are exploiting people’s pain because they cannot oppose otherwise. The claim that I orchestrated a cover-up is a huge lie. If an operational mistake was made, the responsible authorities will determine it.”
- “At my level, my priority was to recover the bodies. If operational decisions were made—such as sending a crane—I was not aware of them, nor was I obliged to be. However, nothing was done with the intention of a cover-up. A Prime Minister and father cannot have covering up as a concern.”
- “We have facilitated the investigation in all matters. The police have been involved at all levels. I would hope that the investigator’s file includes a video to show what the train was carrying.”
- “The Greek ‘FBI’ has already shown results in tackling smuggling. But for an investigation to take place, evidence must emerge. If it does, it obviously must be investigated.”
- “As I obtained more information, I adjusted my statements accordingly. The final say belongs to the appellate investigator, who has the full picture.”
- “I have the response from Hellenic Train. If it is proven that the train carried suspicious cargo, the company must be held criminally and politically accountable.”
- “I did not make a mistake; I conveyed the information I had. How could I prejudge justice? A serious accusation is looming, and I reject it even as a parent. The idea that the Prime Minister, when visiting the accident site, was concerned with covering up smugglers is absurd.”
- “We have not yet received a clear answer. What once seemed improbable may now be possible. I, too, want to know the truth, Mr. Schroeter.”
- “Fifteen days after the accident, based on the information I had, I stated that there was no suspicious cargo. Hellenic Train, the Fire Department, and OSE told me what they knew at the time. However, a year later, I acknowledged that all possibilities remain open.”
- “Some people died in the fire. We may never know how many.”
- “People took to the streets, shocked by the audio recording. This is not new—it is included in the case file. I cannot imagine a parent hearing their child’s voice moments before their death.”
- “Because there are talks of a cover-up: if that were the case, we would not have taken these actions. We established an independent organization with European oversight.”
- “Answers can only come from justice. We enabled access to the mobile phones of those involved. The opposition parties did not vote for this provision.”
- “Justice moved at its own pace to ensure no questions remain unanswered. We are reaching the end of the process. After the victims’ families, I am the first who wants to know the truth.”
- “Greek society experiences the Tempi tragedy as a wound and as mourning. At the protests, even New Democracy supporters participated, demanding justice, punishment for the guilty, and ensuring this never happens again.”
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