In debate with Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas, The Left highlights systemic failures, safety hazards, governmental liabilities, Commission shortcomings, and concerns over investigatory independence regarding the 2023 Tempi railway tragedy that claimed 57 lives.

After months of pushing for a debate, The Left in the European Parliament succeeded in securing a discussion on the Tempi train incident in the Parliament today, as Greece marks over two years since the deadly head-on train collision.

A long-awaited report in February this year blamed major systemic failures for the accident, including antiquated infrastructure and underfunding, cumulative factors that ultimately result from political decisions at the highest levels of power in Greece. Left MEPs today highlighted the responsibility of Prime Minister Mitsotakis and the European Commission for failing to upgrade the infrastructure in Greece before the tragedy.

MEP Kostas Arvanitis (Syriza, Greece) said: “Since 2017, there has been an investigation into the crucial — and non-existent — contract between the Ministry and Hellenic Railways Organization. It took six years for Greece to be brought before the Court of the European Union. After the Tempi accident, the contract was hastily and panic-strickenly submitted, and the case was withdrawn without any examination of its compatibility with Directive 2012/34. How can this be justified, when DG MOVE itself is now raising objections regarding its content?”

MEP Arvanitis also raised questions about the political integrity of the committee responsible for investigating the tragedy, adding “The Hellenic Aviation and Railway Safety Investigation Agency operates with members directly appointed by the Minister. Is this how the Commission understands the concept of the functional independence of the body?”