Kyriakos Mitsotakis made his usual Sunday Facebook post. This time the Prime Minister did not want to mention on his weekly report the government’s work. He preferred to express his initial thoughts on the unprecedented volume of rallies for Tempi.

The Prime Minister’s post
“Good morning. My post today will not be about the usual weekly review of the government’s work. I want to share with you some initial thoughts on the unprecedented rallies on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of the Tempi tragedy. But also the publication, last Thursday, of the EODASAM report.
On Friday, our democracy proved its strength. It is a sign of great social sensitivity that so many of our compatriots, of all ages, chose to take to the streets and squares and express their feelings in a peaceful manner.

Citizens, both those who demonstrated and those who mourned quietly, asked for the obvious: Truth and justice for the victims. A state that works so that such a tragedy never happens again. Safe and modern public transportation that the country deserves.

I will not dwell on the few who have tried to tarnish the memory of the dead. The police did their job professionally, preventing more incidents and spreading violence. Our country does not want to return to the bankrupt yesterday with its divisive up and down squares.

This tragedy was not just a horrible circumstance, nor was it just the tragic result of human error. And the EODASAM’s conclusion confirmed it. That is why the call for more and faster steps forward in the operation of our State is resounding. A progress that cannot be left to words.

For Justice: I appeal again to trust it and allow it to do its work unaffected. In a Rule of Law it alone has the responsibility, the authority and the ability to shed light on a case that has so hurt us. Neither the parties, nor the people’s courts…

For the Trains: The finding revealed a situation far from what we want. Our infrastructure must be made modern and safe. Because what has been done in recent years is not enough. And we know it.

For the State as a whole. Greece cannot function with half-measures and improvisations. With a system that reacts only after the worst has happened, that waits for crises to mobilize. The State has a duty to anticipate, not to run behind developments. A collective responsibility, but above all my responsibility.
It is a contest that I have given for 21 years in my political career. I know I will not win every battle. But I am determined to win the war.

We have proven that we can. From 112 to gov.gr, from the consolidation of EFKA to the new Land Registry, from the fight against tax evasion to preventive medical exams, we have overcome resistance by showing citizens that a modern state that takes care of them is possible.

The Greek Railways must become the new symbol of this battle. With proper infrastructure, new trains, strict safety rules that will be dutifully observed. It will take some time until the government plan that has already started to be completed. But surely, its first stage will be a complete and safe Athens-Thessaloniki line by 2027. And this is a personal commitment.

Not to forget Tempi. But also never to relive them!

The rest will be discussed in Parliament next week. Have a good Lent.”