Clashes erupted in Athens between Greek police and demonstrators protesting the 2023 train crash that killed 57, mostly students.
Clashes broke out in Athens on Wednesday between Greek police and demonstrators protesting over a 2023 train crash that killed 57 people, most of them students, in the country’s worst rail disaster. The violence erupted after thousands of people peacefully rallied outside parliament where lawmakers debated a censure motion submitted by opposition parties against the centre-right government. Earlier, demonstrators released lanterns into the air and held a moment of silence to honour the victims. Candles shaped the number “57” on the ground.
Public Outcry and Censure Motion: Two Years After the Tragedy
The tragic train crash of 2023, which deeply scarred Greece, has resurfaced as a focal point of national attention amidst mass protests. This disaster, claiming 57 lives, predominantly young students, has become symbolic of the chronic issues plaguing the nation’s railway infrastructure. This somber anniversary has ignited widespread public discontent, manifesting in significant demonstrations both domestically and internationally.
Opposition Criticism and Government Response: Political Showdown in Parliament
Against this backdrop of public anger, Greece’s opposition parties have initiated a censure motion against the government, directly criticizing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s administration for its handling of the aftermath of the nation’s deadliest train crash two years prior. Socialist Pasok party leader Nikos Androulakis stated that the censure motion would “give a breather to the political system that’s being led to disrepair.” Three other left-of-center opposition parties supported the motion. In response to the censure, Prime Minister Mitsotakis remarked that every censure motion is welcome, as it provides an opportunity to present the government’s work and future plans to the citizens.
Clashes at Parliament: Police Confront Protesters
Thousands gathered peacefully outside the parliament, demanding justice and accountability for the 2023 tragedy. However, as often occurs in such charged environments, the initially peaceful rally escalated into violent clashes. Police forces intervened to disperse the protesters, leading to heightened tensions and outbreaks of street unrest. The precise triggers for the clashes remain under scrutiny, but it is clear they are rooted in deep-seated public frustration and the demand for justice.
HARSIA Report: Systemic Failures and Unanswered Questions
Further inflaming public sentiment was the release of a report by Greece’s National Agency for Investigation of Aviation and Rail Accidents and Traffic Safety (HARSIA). The report outlined the causes of the crash, suggesting contributing factors such as flammable materials not officially registered on the freight train. While the report did not indicate a government cover-up, it depicted a railway network under severe strain and noted that critical evidence for a comprehensive inquiry had been irrecoverably damaged during post-crash cleanup.
National Mobilization and Political Ramifications
The nationwide demonstrations represent Greece’s most substantial public mobilization in over a decade, uniting individuals across the political spectrum. Although Mitsotakis’s center-right New Democracy party holds a parliamentary majority and is expected to withstand the censure motion, the ramifications of the deadly crash continue to challenge his government. The disaster fuels broader discontent regarding the state of the country’s railway system and ongoing judicial delays. The censure motion, coming shortly after the HARSIA report, underscores the sustained pressure on the government amidst significant public indignation.