Yesterday’s interview of Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Alpha’s main newscast and Antonis Sroiter marked a breakthrough in the approach taken so far by the Greater Maximou on the Tebon issue. In the light of new data emerging from the investigation into the cargo of the freight train that caused the fireball and the consequent deaths of the fatal train’s passengers, as well as new social data following Sunday’s massive rallies, M Mitsotakis readjusted his strategy.

The prime minister appeared cautious about the train load that caused the fire, “drawing a line” with the initial information he had received from the Fire Department, Hellenic Train, and OSE. Mitsotakis stressed that if it turns out that the cargo of the freight train was other than what was declared and presented by Hellenic Train in mid-March 2023 as part of the parliamentary audit, then the company will also be accountable to the state and the families of the victims.

In any case, and in all tones, the prime minister made it clear that he too wants to know the truth about the freight train’s cargo but insisted that justice will provide the answers.

In Mitsotakis’ approach, the role of justice is central. Several times, the prime minister referred to the complex and detailed investigation of the judiciary, attaching particular importance to the role of the executive investigator Mr Bakaimi, who is conducting the main interrogation. The Prime Minister insisted that it is the judiciary that will provide definitive answers even on issues that have not been adequately illuminated so far.

At the same time, he was not entirely defensive about the operational handling of the infamous “bazooka“, saying that quick decisions were taken in the field to find the dead, but he made it clear that the authorities’ intentions were positive and they did not move with a cover-up in mind.

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If there was, however, one politically “loud” squeal from Mitsotakis, it was about the way the House of Representatives Committee of Inquiry handled the case, with the prime minister noting that it was not the best time. In this indirect way, Mitsotakis acknowledged – even after the fact – that witnesses did not testify and evidence requested by the opposition and the victims’ relatives was not introduced. In any case, he referred the matter back to the judiciary, stressing that all witnesses will testify in court and there will be no obscuring of the truth.

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The Pre-Investigation and Carstianou

Realizing the political pressure in the government and given today’s decision of the Conference of Presidents of the Parliament on the date of the debate on the agenda in the Parliament, Mitsotakis left wide open the possibility of setting up a Pre-Investigative Committee, if the judiciary comes up with potential criminal responsibilities of former minister Kosta Ach. Karamanlis.

It is recalled that ND had rejected a similar request by PASOK in November 2023, then against the backdrop of the European Public Prosecutor’s request regarding the management of the 717 contract. Mitsotakis, however, is specific: only if the judiciary establishes an offence, then the government majority will not refuse the Pre-Investigation.

The prime minister tells his interlocutors that he never underestimated the dynamics of the protests over Tempe, while he wanted to set the tone that no personal disputes with relatives who lost their children in Tempe are allowed.

“I bow my head to Ms Karustianou,” the prime minister said, sending a message to his colleagues that targeting the victims’ relatives is unacceptable. In the previous days, moreover, many reactions had erupted over the statements of former ND candidate Gregory Psarianou, while Adonis Georgiades had also been involved in a public debate with Maria Karystianou, who of course made it clear that he never accused relatives of aiming for financial gains.

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Decisions

In any case, and with the new strategy for handling the issue, Mitsotakis is entering a difficult February for the government. After all, the findings on the fire and the conflict are pending, as well as the second anniversary of the tragedy. He did not explicitly cut out reformation scenarios when asked yesterday, and the sense among his colleagues is that in the end any changes in the government’s shape may not be as far away as was the intention a few weeks ago.