Supreme Court President Ioanna Klapa has responded to sharp criticism from Maria Karystianou, the President of the Association of Relatives of Victims of Tempi, who lost her daughter in the Tempi train collision. Karystianou has strongly opposed the appointment of a special appellate investigator to the case, claiming the decision was influenced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his associates.
“Respect is earned and attributed to those – and only those – who truly respect democracy and the laws,” Klapa stated, dismissing Karystianou’s concerns and further fueling tensions between the judiciary and victims’ families.
Rail Modernisation Plans Under Discussion
As the legal battle unfolds, Mitsotakis is expected to discuss railway modernisation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Greek government is considering plans for a new railway line, with discussions set to take place between officials from the Prime Minister’s office, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and their Italian counterparts.
A major issue remains whether Hellenic Train, the Greek railway operator owned by Italy’s state-run rail company, will be held responsible for the disaster. If the judicial investigation assigns blame to the company, the Greek government is already preparing its response strategy.
GSEE Calls for Strikes Amid Public Outrage
The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) has called for strikes in protest over the Tempi disaster and railway safety concerns. However, the union has urged public transport workers to continue some services to allow citizens to attend planned protest rallies.
As Greece grapples with the legal and political fallout of the Tempi tragedy, the push for justice, accountability, and rail safety reform continues to intensify.