Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reorganized his government on Friday, appointing fresh funding and transportation officials and transferring another important positions to younger authorities.
The change is in response to current nationwide protests caused by the worst road tragedy in history.
After the train collision in 2023 that left 57 people dead, Mitsotakis is trying to win again the government’s respect.
Numerous protests over fears that the state is trying to cover up the scenario stemmed from the Tempi railway disaster’s following anniversary, which occurred last month.
Popular ministries are given the all-clear in the shuffle.
In addition to the political repercussions from the crisis, Mitsotakis ‘ New Democracy group is facing declining approval ratings.
More than 50 % of Greeks want early elections, according to a poll conducted for Star TV, and more than 65 % of voters in the ruling party think that government officials should be tried for the accident.
Previous common minister of modern management Kyriakos Pierrakakis was chosen as the new finance minister by the prime minister. Kostis Hatzidakis, who is now the deputy prime minister and is in charge of economic development laws, is taking his place.
The new travel secretary, Christos Dimas, will be in charge of modernizing Greece’s railway system.
As Greece aims to make its economy green and also looking for oil reserves on its place, Mitsotakis even chose Stavros Papastavrou and Nikos Tsafos for the culture and power portfolios.
What caused the Tempi rail crisis?
A passenger station from Athens to Thessaloniki collided with a cargo train on February 28, 2023, causing the road accident.
Some kids were among the 57 fatalities in the collision, and many more were hurt.
Without sounding an alarm, the two carriages had been traveling toward one another for yards before going off into the dark. The incident was caused by human failure and malfunctioning equipment.
The railroad network’s deterioration was recently exposed in an impartial statement. Additionally, it highlighted major errors in the accident investigation.
Parliament voted earlier this month to look into whether Mitsotakis ‘ top official authorized the destruction of the crash site, leaving behind crucial information.
A local station master who was in charge of the carriages ‘ route has been accused of “homicide due to negligence” and faces charges of murder.
