SYRIZA has decided to proceed independently with submitting a proposal for a preliminary investigation into the Tempi train tragedy, following a breakdown in talks with the New Left.
The collaboration faltered over a disagreement on whether the proposed investigation should include Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, alongside former Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis.
Despite this, SYRIZA’s Political Secretariat and Parliamentary Group approved, by a large majority, the proposal by MP Socrates Famellos. The proposal names six individuals to be investigated for potential criminal responsibilities related to the tragedy: Prime Minister Mitsotakis, former transport Minister Karamanlis, deputy ministers Yiannis Kefalogiannis, Giorgos Karagiannis, and Michalis Papadopoulos, as well as former SYRIZA minister Christos Spirtzis.
The plan reportedly is for the proposal to be published on Saturday and submitted to Parliament on Monday. SYRIZA is seeking four additional MP signatures from independents or progressive parties to meet the required thirty.
(In Greece, a government official can only be subjected to criminal prosecution for offenses committed while in office if Parliament decides to initiate such proceedings.)
Concerns were raised within SYRIZA regarding accepting support from MPs influenced by Stefanos Kasselakis. However, party leadership emphasized the importance of unity and prioritizing justice over internal disagreements. One senior member told To Vima, “The society that wants justice for Tempi does not care about the internal party affairs of SYRIZA and the relationship of all its… fragments with each other.”
The New Left, for its part, declined to cooperate, citing lack of evidence against the Prime Minister. In a statement, the party argued that any rejected proposals by the New Democracy majority would serve as de facto acquittals, effectively closing the case.
SYRIZA has acknowledged the New Left’s position but described the development as “unfortunate”. The party insists that all aspects of the case must be reflected in Parliament, especially given the gravity of the tragedy and public demand for accountability.
The proposal’s publication coincides with the start of SYRIZA’s internal elections this weekend, during which thousands of members will vote for delegates ahead of the party congress in June. The outcome may also signal the broader impact of the Tempi initiative on SYRIZA’s internal dynamics and public standing.
A potential parliamentary showdown is also in view, with competing proposals on the same issue already submitted by PASOK and New Democracy.
