The preliminary investigation committee of the Greek Parliament into the Tempi train disaster is underway, with all eyes on the upcoming testimony of Christos Triantopoulos, a former deputy minister, scheduled for Friday.
Triantopoulos is expected to submit his statement in writing, as anticipated. If this session proceeds smoothly, the committee will then need to determine its next steps.
According to indications, the parliamentary majority intends to swiftly conclude the proceedings and move toward drafting its findings. As an official body, the committee is expected to present its report to the plenary session of Parliament. The Speaker of the House, Nikitas Kaklamanis, will then need to schedule a special agenda for the discussion and approval of the report.
Following this, the Parliament will hold a secret ballot to decide whether to refer Triantopoulos to a special court. Prior to that vote, a judicial council will conduct its own investigation into the former deputy minister’s involvement.
The Opposition’s Stance
From the outset, the minority parties have strongly opposed the majority’s approach. Opposition parties have accused the majority of rushing to summon Triantopoulos, labeling the move as hasty. Opposition MPs have argued that a suspect, as they describe him, should be called as the final witness, not the first.
It is worth noting that the opposition submitted a proposed list of witnesses. However, minority members of the committee have warned that if the investigation were concluded based on the initial plan—without including the accused’s positions in the final report—there would be a serious risk of the entire process being deemed invalid. As a result, it was decided to summon the former minister to ensure his stance is documented, paving the way for the judicial council to examine his case.
What Happens Next?
Finally, it should be highlighted that Parliament will draw lots to select the members of the judicial council from a pool of eligible judges from the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) and the Council of State. This step will mark the transition of the case from the political to the judicial sphere, as Greece continues to seek answers and accountability for the Tempi tragedy.