A preliminary investigative committee examining the tragic Tempi train collision has sparked controversy, as it voted on Thursday to summon former minister Christos Triantopoulos to testify on Monday.
The decision, backed by 14 votes from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, prompted a dramatic walkout by representatives of six opposition parties, who accused the government of undermining the investigation.
The committee’s move came after ND deputies rejected a proposal from Plefsi Eleftherias and Spartiates. Major opposition parties, including PASOK-KINAL, SYRIZA, the Communist Party (KKE), Nea Aristera, Elliniki Lysi, and Niki, refused to participate in the vote, alleging that the government is attempting to stifle the committee’s work and shield those responsible for the disaster.
Milena Apostolaki, PASOK-KINAL’s deputy, sharply criticised the ND government, claiming it is acting on “seconded service” to carry out Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ orders. She accused the party of pushing Triantopoulos’ referral to justice in a way that violates the Greek Constitution, calling it a convenient maneuver for the government.
SYRIZA Deputy Vassilis Kokkalis echoed these sentiments, describing the committee’s first meeting as “the absolute debasement of the constitution and of law.” He accused ND deputies of rejecting key witnesses, including the prime minister, and withholding the full case file from the Larissa appeals prosecutor’s office. “They are selectively summoning Mr. Triantopoulos for explanations, despite the law,” Kokkalis added.
The Communist Party’s Nikos Karathanassopoulos condemned the rushed timeline, arguing that calling Triantopoulos to testify so soon is part of a broader effort to “cover up the causes of the crime at Tempi.” He explained that the KKE walked out to avoid legitimizing a process that refuses to hear from critical witnesses.
Nea Aristera’s Dimitris Tzanakopoulos called the proceedings “an unimaginable political fiasco” and a “parody of a meeting.” He warned that ND’s decision to summon Triantopoulos prematurely, before other witnesses, breaches constitutional norms and marks “a black day for the Greek Parliament and democracy.”
The Tempi train collision, a devastating incident that has gripped the nation, continues to fuel political tensions as Greeks demand accountability. With opposition parties united in their outrage, the investigation’s credibility hangs in the balance, raising questions about transparency and justice in one of Greece’s most high-profile tragedies.
(Source: Amna)