Government’s Position: No Coordinating Role Acknowledged

Government sources dismissed the Estia report as “deeply misleading,” stating that the email merely concerned financial support for victims’ families and funding for Thessaly’s regional government. They emphasized that Triantopoulos had no operational role in site management.

Minister of State Akis Skertsos reinforced this view in Parliament, asserting that Triantopoulos’ sole responsibility was to assist affected citizens. “He stood by those impacted by the tragedy,” Skertsos stated, adding that official inquiries had already addressed the matter.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis echoed this sentiment, arguing that the email pertained to post-disaster expenses rather than directives for site management. “It is about covering costs incurred by the local government, not issuing orders,” he clarified.

Opposition Calls for Transparency

SYRIZA’s parliamentary leader Sokratis Famellos criticized the government’s response, calling for the immediate lifting of communication secrecy for all officials involved, including Triantopoulos, Gerapetritis, and Skertsos. He questioned why the email had not been included in the official case file.

Similarly, PASOK MP Dimitris Mantzos challenged Skertsos directly, demanding the government disclose the full content of the email. Meanwhile, New Left MP Effie Achtsioglou and Plefsi Eleftherias’ Alexandros Kazamias accused the government of withholding crucial details.

Political and Judicial Implications

As the debate intensifies, government officials maintain that the judiciary holds ultimate authority over the case. “Justice has the first and last word,” government sources reiterated, rejecting opposition claims of a cover-up.

With opposition parties pressing for further disclosures, the controversy surrounding the Triantopoulos email continues to fuel political tensions in Parliament.