A debate in the Greek parliament plenum is underway over a series of proposals tabled by opposition parties regarding the prospect of setting up a preliminary inquiry committee against 14 political figures—among whom is former Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis—implicated in the Tempi train crash.
In a highly acrimonious atmosphere, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis took to the stand and rebutted accusations of “high treason” included in one of the proposals.
The opposition parties have tabled three separate proposals, with the joint motion submitted by Plefsi Eleftherias, Niki, and Greek Solution adopting the motion put forward by the relatives of victims of the tragic crash led by lawyer and the mother of a victim, Maria Karystianou.
Ruling New Democracy has also tabled a proposal, which, based on the current balance of power, is expected to pass.
“I had serious doubts about attending today’s session. We’ve spoken many times about the Tempi tragedy, and I have already addressed it extensively. But today’s session carries a particular weight,” Mitsotakis noted in his opening address. “I would not want my presence to be interpreted as an implicit legitimization of a process that directs unthinkable accusations at me personally.”
“This is a vulgar attempt by smaller parties to turn a national tragedy into a disgraceful political conspiracy. They’ve gone so far as to accuse the prime minister of the country of high treason,” the Prime Minister noted.
The leader of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis, clarified in his speech that his party’s intention was to examine in detail if any of those implicated bore any responsibility.
Addressing the prime minister, he stated, “We are not ascribing motives to anyone. You’re the ones fabricating a false indictment. You claim to be sending him [Karamanlis] to justice, yet in reality, you are the ones absolving him.”
The most hardline proposal comes from a joint front formed by Greek Solution, Niki, Course of Freedom, and six independent MPs aligned with Stefanos Kasselakis. They are backing the motion submitted, which assigns blame to a wide list of high-profile political figures, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, former Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, etc.
The proposal includes extremely serious accusations, including, among others, high treason, serial manslaughter with possible intent, serial bodily harm with possible intent, dereliction of duty, concealment of crime, harboring offenders, and fraud against the financial interests of the EU.
The 2023 Tempi train crash killed 57 people when a head-on collision occurred between a passenger train and a freight train in central Greece.
The outcome of the voting process is expected after midnight.