Wed Mar 05 19:03:38 UTC 2025: ## No-Confidence Vote Fails to Unseat Greek PM Amid Train Crash Outrage

**ATHENS** – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis survived a no-confidence vote on Friday, fueled by public anger over the handling of a deadly train crash that killed 57 people in February 2023. The motion, submitted by opposition parties led by the socialist PASOK party, accused the government of “criminal incompetence” in its response to the disaster. While the vote failed to oust Mitsotakis, whose party holds a comfortable parliamentary majority, the event highlighted deep public dissatisfaction.

Hundreds of thousands protested nationwide on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the crash and demanding justice. The protests followed days of nationwide demonstrations that brought the country to a standstill. Opposition parties criticized the government for ignoring repeated warnings about safety issues within the Greek railway system, citing underfunding and a history of accidents. Relatives of victims have also condemned the government’s handling of the investigation, claiming a cover-up despite the government’s denials.

The no-confidence vote focused on allegations of a cover-up, specifically concerning the bulldozing of the crash site, which allegedly destroyed crucial evidence. Parliament launched an investigation into the actions of former official Christos Triantopoulos, who resigned on Tuesday amidst accusations of authorizing the site’s clearing. While over 40 individuals face prosecution for the accident itself, a trial is not expected until the end of the year.

Despite the government’s assertion that no cover-up occurred, opinion polls indicate a significant portion of the Greek public believes otherwise. Prime Minister Mitsotakis defended his government’s actions, attributing the opposition’s accusations to a “storm” of misinformation. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining political stability in the face of the ongoing crisis. The vote, while unsuccessful in removing the government, underscores the deep political divisions and public outrage surrounding the tragic train crash.

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