Two 24 hours before the two-year anniversary of the Tempi tragedy, Friday’s previously announced massive rallies across Greece and abroad cast a “shadow” over today’s ministerial council meeting. The political agenda, despite Kyriakos Mitsotakis‘ efforts to enrich it, has become practically one-sided and the government itself is now called upon to manage a crisis.

Given this, the prime minister’s introductory statement today is of particular value, as, according to his associates, it will give a comprehensive position of the government both on the rallies and, more generally, on the tension that has developed in the public debate on Tempi.

According to Prime Minister’s associates, Mitsotakis will share the public demand for truth and justice, saying that from the first moment and with its interventions the government has moved with this in mind, while wanting to facilitate the investigative procedures. At the same time and with an eye on the rallies, he will pledge that the state will do everything possible to protect the inalienable constitutional right of expression of citizens, while calling on the organizers of the rallies to do the same.

In this way, Mitsotakis wants to send the message that the government is not afraid of peaceful civil mobilizations, but does not want to allow any excesses and potential provocations. Already, there is a great mobilization for police planning, the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochides had an express meeting with the police authorities of Thessaloniki, while he is on a daily hotline with Mitsotakis.

However, Mitsotakis will insist on the instrumentalization narrative, saying that “certain circles” and the opposition are attempting to turn a tragic accident into a political slogan and exploit the good intentions of citizens, for their own purposes. More broadly, the Prime Minister is expected to point out that in times of uncertainty and in the current turbulent geopolitical environment, civility and stability are a strong acquis of the country that must be maintained.

Low profile and preparations

More broadly, however, Maximou wants government officials to keep their tones low ahead of Friday’s gatherings, avoiding statements that cause reactions and the anger of relatives.

“Alas, if it would have crossed our minds to confront the victims’ relatives. Neither have we done so, nor will we,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis made clear, speaking on the First Program and asked to comment on the intervention of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who unleashed new “attack” against government ministers.

In any case, in addition to the low profile until Friday, a preparatory work for the period from Friday onwards has begun in the Maximos Mansion. According to reports, a number of ministers will be invited both Saturday and Sunday to appear in the media, on channels and radio stations, conveying the government’s stance, which will be in line with the prime minister’s introduction today.