Apostolos Tzitzikostas, a close ally of right-wing Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has been chosen to lead the transport portfolio in the next European Commission. However, relatives of the victims of the deadly 2023 train accident in Greece are vehemently opposed to this decision. Last year, 57 individuals, mainly university students, lost their lives in a tragic train crash in Tempi. The victims’ families have accused the government of attempting to cover up the case, which is currently under investigation by the judiciary.
The “Tempi 2023” Accident Victims Association has voiced their concerns regarding Greece holding the transport portfolio in the next European Commission. In a letter addressed to EU executive President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, the association expressed strong reservations about Tzitzikostas’s appointment. They fear that the choice of Greek Commissioner-designate and Greek MEP Eliza Vozenberg as chair of the Transport Committee of the European Parliament will undermine accountability for the rail tragedy.
Maria Karistianou, the president of the victim’s association, emphasized that the assignment of key portfolios to individuals with close ties to the ruling party is inappropriate, especially given the ongoing investigation into the train accident. She highlighted the lack of confidence in the Greek justice system and expressed hope that the Tempi case will serve as a catalyst for change. Karistianou raised concerns about the influence of politicians in judicial appointments and the erosion of trust in the judiciary due to corruption and lack of transparency.
Eliza Vozenberg refuted the allegations made by the victim’s association, stating that the case is being politicized by the opposition. She emphasized the presence of an independent judiciary in Greece and dismissed claims of collusion with the government to withhold information related to the train accident. Vozenberg assured that she and Tzitzikostas, if approved after the hearings, are committed to upholding transparency and accountability in their respective roles.
The president of the “Tempi 2023” association met with both the Commissioner-designate and the chairwoman of the TRAN committee of the European Parliament in Brussels to convey the concerns of the victims’ families. Additionally, she engaged with representatives of democratic parties in the European Parliament to raise awareness about the issue. The European Parliament is set to commence hearings for the Commissioners-designate on 4th November, where Tzitzikostas’s appointment will be subject to approval or rejection.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the appointment of Apostolos Tzitzikostas as the head of the transport portfolio in the next European Commission highlights the concerns of the victims’ families regarding accountability and transparency in the aftermath of the Tempi train accident. The clash between the victim’s association and the government reflects broader issues of trust in the Greek justice system and the need for impartial investigations into such incidents. The upcoming hearings in the European Parliament will provide a platform for further debate and scrutiny of the Commissioner-designate’s suitability for the role amidst ongoing investigations and calls for justice.
