Greek PM survives no confidence vote, attacks EU Prosecutor Laura Kövesi

With 159 votes in favour, Greece’s ruling New Democracy party (EPP) survived on Thursday a no-confidence vote pushed forward by the left opposition parties amid tensions over a deadly train accident that killed 57 people.

During three-day debate in the Greek parliament, left opposition parties Syriza (EU Left), Pasok (S&D) and leftist New Left and Course of Freedom parties put pressure on the conservative government to shed light on the 2023 accident.

The motion of a no confidence vote, an initiative of Pasok leader Nikos Androulakis, claimed that the government is trying to cover up their political responsibilities and particularly protect the then-transport minister Costas Karamanlis.

The opposition and research conducted by experts hired by the victims’ relatives suggests that an area of about two acres was filled with gravel and concrete after the accident, going against traditional research protocol and meaning the site where the accident occurred was “contaminated”.

“This action makes it difficult for the research and, above all, the taking of samples that might help to clarify several of the research questions”, a research document seen by Euractiv reads.

Moreover, a press report fueled the fire last weekend as it suggested that the conversations between train workers at the night of the accident – that were made public right after the accident – were “distorted” to enhance the government’s argument of the “human error”.

The government refuted the report branding it as “fake news” but has so far failed to provide specific answers on who had access to the audio files of the train workers’ conversations.

The opposition parties insisted on Thursday that former transport minister Costas Karamanlis should be referred to justice, but Mitsotakis protected him up.

“If you believe that a preliminary investigation should be instituted against Mr. Karamanlis for possible intentional homicide, document it, bring it to the Parliament and let’s discuss it”, Mitsotakis said, insisting that it was a human error.

“The independent justice must have its say”, Mitsotakis noted.

Greek PM fumes with EU Prosecutor

Meanwhile, Mitsotakis attacked EU Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi who recently said the Greek authorities “obstruct investigation into deadly train accident”.

“We are blocked from finding the truth and applying justice. Because if you are forbidden from doing the investigations, you cannot find out the truth”, Kövesi told TV Star on 15 March.

Read more: EU prosecutor says Greece obstructing investigation into deadly train accident

Referring to the Greek ministers’ immunity – Kövesi also said the provision in the constitution must change and added that she has made such a request by sending a letter to the European Commission.

In his speech, Mitsotakis said Kövesi exceeded the limit of her competence.

“You know very well that the competence of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is limited exclusively to acts affecting the finances of the European Union. The only issue that should concern Ms. Kövesi is the funds of the 717 contract and nothing more”, the Greek prime minister said, backing a Greek Supreme Court statement criticising Kövesi.

On 3 March 2023, Euractiv revealed that the EU prosecutor had already stepped in before the accident.

Particularly, the EU prosecutor was scrutinising a contract signed in 2014 for the reconstruction and upgrade of the signalling system and the remote control of the Athens – Thessaloniki – Promachona railway.

The “717 contract” was never implemented, and the signalling and surveillance system is still not in place. Meanwhile, Greek railways are still being operated manually.

“If the project had been finalised in time and properly, this [accident] would have never happened […] this trauma cannot be healed without justice”, Kövesi added.

Read more about the “717 contract” here.

(Sarantis Michalopoulos – Edited by Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)

Read more with Euractiv

Constitutional, cabinet crisis looms in Bulgaria

On the top of the cabinet crisis following the failure of the rotation of prime ministers, a constitutional crisis is looming as appointing a caretaker premier appears as “mission impossible”.