By Yannis Anifantis

His resignation from the position of Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection was submitted by the House of Representatives, Christos Triantopouloscalling on the body to vote for his proposal to refer to pre -trial investigation, clarifying that the offenses attributed to him by the opposition are unfounded and offensive.

The resigned deputy minister stressed that he had arrived at the site of the rail accident after the two trains collided when decisions on intervention in the area had already been taken by “business and officials”.

In fact, the former deputy minister cited the point 568 of EPODAAMwhere it is stated that justice has made all the important decisions on interventions at the point of the accident. “According to the finding, at point 568, the Greek Police points out” that the investigator supervised the investigation and that any major decisions, such as the end of the search for human relics and the transportation of everything to Koulouri, were under his oral approval. ” Mr Triantopoulos argued that his presence at the scene of the accident, he assumed two issues, “the first concerned the state aid and support of the families of the victims” and the second was “informing public opinion”.

“The need for political maturity and the commitment to the fundamental foundations of democracy is imperative today. From the same step, about a year ago, I had emphasized that “for me politics is not a profession. For me, the ‘chair’ is not an end in itself, ”the resigned minister said. “My morality, my faith in right, in good and truth, my dedication to the right word, my love for the homeland, consciously requires me to ask you – with faith in your integrity – to vote in favor of his unfounded and offensive proposal PASOK. This is how my parents nourished me. This is how we grow up our children. No shadow. No mud. No fugitives. Only truth and light, “he added.

Following is the whole position of Mr. Triantopoulos:

“When I entered politics in 2019, I never thought that I would be in this position. That I would be at the heart of an important parliamentary debate on one of the biggest modern tragedies. Tragedy, for which it is reasonable to seek answers to questions in every direction. A need that has been collectively and loud by society in recent mobilizations and which, of course, we hear and respond. With truth, justice and responsibility towards political feasibility and toxicity that undermines our democracy.

The need for political maturity and the commitment to the fundamental bases of democracy today is imperative. From the same step, about a year ago, I had emphasized that “for me politics is not a profession. For me the ‘chair’ is not an end in itself. ” So, and as I made it clear days ago, I am submitting my resignation today from the position of Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the portfolio of state relief.

This was and is my portfolio, state aid. The state aid created, throughout this period, from scratch. With a measurable work in every corner of our country and in collaboration with everyone. A tangible project for many tens of thousands of beneficiaries, with over € 1 billion in aid and funding only in the last period. This is my responsibility, the help of the state after natural disasters. State support, not civil protection. And before, as the Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister, this was my portfolio. With this responsibility I found, days after the incident, in Larissa, and – then – at the place of the tragic accident. This was, after all, the first information from the media, that I would go to Larissa “in order to coordinate the actions for state aid and support for the families of the victims”.

A statement focusing on the investigations of the victims’ identification, the information of the families, the recommendations by the competent services, but also on the management of mourning for each family.

Informing public opinion was the second part of my presence there. As the work of business agents progressed, I participated in the information – with press releases and releases – to progress actions. Always with information from the competent officials who were responsible for them. In this context, information or interviews were published by my own reports or interviews, inter alia, on the identification of the deceased, the development of the health of the hospitalized, and the course of the railway line. In these publications, if they do not fall victim to a malicious cutter and distortion, it is easily understood that I am referring to all or many aspects of the work of the state mechanism in those days. Three words can not be selectively isolated to nourish a fantasy scenario, and to exclude three paragraphs. All my statements are posted on my personal website from the first moment.

This is my position. This is the truth. This is also evident from all the information contained in the case file. Really, does anyone mention that I ordered him a fraudulent act of “concealment”? No. Does anyone mention that I prevented him in his work? No. One mentions that I asked him to join to “cover” something – unknown what? No. Does anyone say that I suggested that he violate his responsibilities and take illegal actions, or that I did not prevent him? No. One mentions that in whatever way I have strengthened, mentally, someone is supposed to violate that duty – which is why to break it? No. Does it mention anywhere my relationship with unknown smugglers or others who had a supposed benefit of “convening” anything unknown? No. Is it anywhere else else my name, beyond the report that I visited the accident? No.

And since nothing is mentioned, then in the opposition, with my presence and with my silence, I drank the supposed “concealment”. And all this with fraud, to “conceal” something to this day indefinite. The reference to the existence of fraud, even as an unproven case that is not based on events, which is not substantiated by evidence, and which is not in line with logic, but which hypothetically has led to “concealment” actions, is extremely offensive. It is an extreme insult for me, as political, as a human being, as a father.

In this room we all know each other. I have nothing, neither to fear, nor hide. No matter how unpleasant it is for me and my family, first I want the facts and truth to emerge. And show the intentions served by this proposal. It is clear, for anyone who sees it objectively, that this is all about one thing today: my property as a deputy minister to the prime minister. An attempt to hit the government through me. I know you know and understand the truth. However, you prefer to remain trapped in vain, as it will be proven, the pursuit of your parties to tool a great tragedy.

My morality, my faith in the right, in good and the truth, my dedication to the right reason, my love for the homeland, consciously requires me to ask you – with faith in your integrity – to vote in favor of PASOK’s unfounded and offensive proposal. This is how my parents nourished me. This is how we grow up our children. No shadow. No mud. No fugitives. Only truth and light. “