Nationwide strikes have largely paralyzed traffic in Greece. All domestic and international flights were affected, with the exception of emergency flights. Ferry traffic, rail traffic and local public transport in the big cities were also on strike.
In addition, public sector workers and health workers went on strike. The country’s major unions had once again called for work stoppages – people are demanding full clarification of the serious train accident that killed 57 a good two weeks ago.
Demonstrations were announced for lunchtime in numerous cities across the country. The reason for the recent many strikes and demonstrations, in addition to the indignation of the citizens at the poor state of the Greek railways, is the primary election campaign. Parliamentary elections must be held in Greece by the beginning of July at the latest, a date has not yet been set. Opposition parties are already mobilizing their members to take part in strikes and demonstrations to put pressure on the incumbent conservative government.
The ongoing investigation into the head-on collision of a passenger train with a freight train brings to light enormous grievances on the railway. The station master, who sent the passenger train onto the wrong platforms, was demonstrably completely overwhelmed at his post. The technical security systems have also worked only partially or not at all for years. All governments of the past 20 years have failed completely when it comes to rail, is the unanimous opinion.
