Today, Maria Karystianou, President of the relatives’ association for victims of the deadly March 2023 train accident in Tempi, Greece, addressed the LEFT Group at the invitation of Vice Chair Kostas Arvanitis.

She criticized Greece’s railway system for chronic deficiencies and raised concerns about the appointment of Greek Commissioner-designate Apostolos Tzitzikostas to the Transport portfolio. Karystianou, who lost her daughter in the tragedy, questioned the TRAN Committee’s ability to scrutinize the situation effectively given the Commissioner’s affiliation with the ruling New Democracy party.

Karystianou informed Left MEPs about her letter to the President of the Commission and the European Parliament regarding this appointment. She also referenced a recent statement by Laura Kovesi, Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which highlighted the Greek parliamentary majority’s protection of former ministers from investigation. According to Karystianou, the government has attempted to cover up the circumstances of the accident, destroying evidence related to the explosion that killed 30 people.

Expressing hope as a parent, she stated, “1.5 million Greeks stand with us, demanding accountability for government crimes. Please do not be part of this travesty.”

Left Vice-Chair Kostas Arvanitis emphasized that she represents families seeking the rule of law, while Group Co-Chair Manon Aubry assured the group’s intention to vote against Mr. Tzitzikostas in the upcoming European Parliament hearing.