Greek PM Mitsotakis Survives No-Confidence Motion Over Deadly Train Crash
Greek Parliament rejected a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government on Friday after a heated three-day debate triggered by protests marking the second anniversary of the deadly Tempi rail disaster.
The motion, introduced by four opposition parties, failed as expected. A total of 293 MPs out of the 300 deputies in Greece’s Parliament participated in the roll-call vote. All 157 votes against the motion came from the ruling center-right New Democracy (ND) party, which holds the majority in the Parliament.
Meanwhile, all 136 opposition lawmakers supported the measure. The outcome underscored the government’s firm control despite growing criticism from opposition groups and the public.
Protests and public discontent
The debate took place amid public outrage over the government’s handling of the 2023 Tempi rail crash, which killed 57 people. The tragedy, Greece’s deadliest train accident, exposed serious safety lapses in the country’s rail system.
#Greece | Clashes have broken out between police and protesters in front of the Greek Parliament as tensions flare over the Tempi train disaster. Thousands remain in Syntagma, demanding justice.#athens #τεμπη_εγκλημα #Δεν_Εχω_Οξυγονο pic.twitter.com/edgoeMwkK2
— Vedat Yeler (@vedatyeler_) March 7, 2025
Last Friday, mass demonstrations erupted across Greece and in major cities abroad. Protesters demanded justice for the victims and accountability from officials they believe failed to prevent the disaster.
Opposition leaders used the no-confidence motion to challenge the government’s response, arguing that systemic failures remain unresolved.
All party leaders took the podium, delivering passionate speeches. Mitsotakis concluded the debate with a final address defending his administration’s actions.
Parliamentary disruptions and tensions
The session was briefly interrupted when five visitors, accredited by the opposition Nea Aristera (New Left) party, disrupted proceedings. They stood in the gallery, threw leaflets into the air, and shouted slogans as Mitsotakis began speaking. Security quickly removed them, but the disturbance highlighted the charged atmosphere inside Parliament.
Earlier, ND lawmaker Dimitris Kyriazidis was expelled from the ruling party after making a controversial remark to opposition leader Zoe Konstantopoulou. As Konstantopoulou, head of the Plefsi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom) party, addressed Parliament, he interrupted her, saying, “go have a baby.”
Με τη Ζωή – όχι ότι περιμέναμε αυτή την ατάκα («κάνε κανένα παιδί») του Δημήτρη Κυριαζίδη για να κρίνουμε το ήθος των Νεοδημοκρατών βέβαια…#βουλή | #κυριαζίδης | #κωνσταντοπούλου | #ΝΔ | #πλεύση_ελευθερίας | #πρόταση_μομφής pic.twitter.com/g1sDWUS2NQ
— Sotiris Charalampopoulos (@sotirischaral) March 7, 2025
His comment, which came as she acknowledged a group of students observing the debate, was widely condemned. Opposition leaders called it sexist and inappropriate. ND leadership responded swiftly, removing Kyriazidis from the party’s parliamentary group.
Political fallout and future implications
Despite the vote’s predictable outcome, the debate reinforced political divisions and public frustration. Opposition parties insist the government has not done enough to improve rail safety or address broader governance issues.
The Mitsotakis administration, however, maintains it has taken corrective measures and continues working on reforms.
Protests are expected to continue as victims’ families and demonstrators push for further investigations. The Tempi disaster remains a defining issue in Greek politics, keeping pressure on the government ahead of future elections.
Though the Greek parliament’s no-confidence motion failed, the debate exposed lingering tensions and dissatisfaction, signaling ongoing political challenges for the ruling party.
PR Newswire
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