Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis resigns
Kostas Karamanlis
01 Mar 2023
/ 21:54
ATHENS. "I feel it is my duty to do so and to take responsibility for the mistakes of the Greek state and the political system throughout the years."
The Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis handed in his resignation following the fatal train crash at Tempe.
Statement from the Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis:
"I have just returned from the scene of the tragedy in Tempe. The pain cannot be described.
It is a fact that we have taken over the Greek railways in a condition that does not suit the 21st century. In these 3.5 years we made every effort to improve this condition. Unfortunately, these efforts were not enough to prevent such an accident. And this is very hard for all of us and for me personally.
When something so tragic happens, it is not possible to carry on as if it did not happen. I have only been involved in politics for a few years, but I consider the trust placed by citizens in the political system to be an essential part of our democracy. This is called political responsibility.
For this reason, I am resigning from the position of Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. I feel it is my duty to do so as a minimum sign of respect to the memory of the people who died so unfairly and to take responsibility for the mistakes of the Greek state and the political system throughout the years.
From the bottom of my heart, I once again want to express my grief and sympathy to the families of the victims."
Statement from the Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis:
"I have just returned from the scene of the tragedy in Tempe. The pain cannot be described.
It is a fact that we have taken over the Greek railways in a condition that does not suit the 21st century. In these 3.5 years we made every effort to improve this condition. Unfortunately, these efforts were not enough to prevent such an accident. And this is very hard for all of us and for me personally.
When something so tragic happens, it is not possible to carry on as if it did not happen. I have only been involved in politics for a few years, but I consider the trust placed by citizens in the political system to be an essential part of our democracy. This is called political responsibility.
For this reason, I am resigning from the position of Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. I feel it is my duty to do so as a minimum sign of respect to the memory of the people who died so unfairly and to take responsibility for the mistakes of the Greek state and the political system throughout the years.
From the bottom of my heart, I once again want to express my grief and sympathy to the families of the victims."
