Maria Karystianou has issued fresh criticism of the conservative government’s approach to relations with Turkey, targeting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis following his recent meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In a social media post on Friday, Karystianou – who is expected to launch a new political party after stepping down as president of the Tempe disaster victims’ association – accused the government of portraying what she described as a diplomatic setback as a positive development. She argued that the reception given to the Greek leader in Turkey did not reflect the level of engagement presented publicly.
She also questioned references to meaningful dialogue between the two countries, citing what she described as Turkey’s longstanding violations of international law. Among the issues she highlighted were Turkey’s “continued and illegal” maritime Navtex notices in the Aegean, its ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus, the expansionist “Blue Homeland” doctrine, and the use of migration flows as political leverage.
Karystianou further criticized Mitsotakis’ remarks that unresolved disputes could be referred to an international court, raising concerns about whether such a move would seek recognition of established sovereign rights or place them open to negotiation.
“Greece needs a people with strong resolve – that is, an informed and united public that supports a plan for national sovereignty and leadership that is not afraid to defend our national rights publicly, clearly and with solid justification,” she said.
Support in opinion polls for a potential party led by Karystianou has been strong in recent months, including among left-leaning voters who identified with her campaign for justice after the 2023 train crash that killed 57 people, including her 19-year-old daughter. However, some of her recent statements appear to place her politically to the right of the ruling New Democracy party, prompting disenchantment among parts of her earlier support base.