ATHENS – Maria Karystianou, whose daughter died in the 2023 Tempi train crash, said on Monday that a new political party would soon be launched, as her public profile continues to rise in Greece. She ruled out cooperation with established politicians.
Karystianou, a paediatrician, rose to prominence after founding a group representing families of victims of the deadliest rail disaster in modern Greek history. The crash claimed 57 lives – mostly young people – triggering mass protests in Greece and other European cities.
She has since campaigned for political accountability, arguing that responsibility has been evaded through constitutional immunity protections for ministers.
In December, Karystianou told Euractiv that the European Commission also bears responsibility, saying Greece has long failed to meet EU transport-safety obligations.
Mother of train-crash victim urges EU prosecutor to override Greek ministers’ immunity
This article has been updated with the EPPO’s response EU prosecutors should uphold the primacy…
4 minutes
In an interview with Kontra TV, she revealed that she is engaged in a political process to create a new party. She said that many people in Greece and abroad are mobilising and are “getting organised very quickly”.
Although she did not clarify whether she intends to lead the new movement, a poll published on Monday found that 33% of citizens view her as a new potential force in Greek politics.
She said the party would not adhere to a specific ideology but would instead focus on “cleansing the country” from corruption, while rejecting collaboration with current political figures.
Questions have been raised over the project’s political orientation. Karystianou’s lawyer and close associate Maria Gratsia ran as a candidate for Niki in the 2023 elections, a party known for its close ties to the powerful Greek Orthodox Church.
The emergence of a new right-wing force could complicate the landscape for the ruling New Democracy, potentially siphoning support from conservative voters.
The only politician Karystianou has publicly praised is MEP Nikolas Farantouris, seen as close to former leftist prime minister Alexis Tsipras and rumoured to be involved.
Farantouris told Euractiv on Tuesday he welcomed a citizens’ movement demanding “transparency, justice and equality”, calling the “Tempi movement” a potential catalyst for change.
(cs)