Greece’s parliament has voted to investigate former Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis for his role in the country’s deadliest rail crash, paving the way for a special committee to consider waiving his immunity for possible criminal charges.
In the early hours after a contentious parliamentary session, Greece’s parliament voted to open an investigation into former Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis, a member of the ruling New Democracy party, regarding his possible responsibility in the February 2023 rail disaster in Tempi. The head-on collision killed 57 people, most of them students.
The decision paves the way for a special parliamentary committee to determine whether Karamanlis’ immunity should be lifted, allowing him to face criminal indictment for any potential liabilities connected to the crash. Under Greek law, only parliament can investigate allegations of misconduct against former ministers.
During the debate, Karamanlis maintained his innocence but requested both referral to the committee and subsequent judicial review.
Three proposals for investigation were put forward. The ruling New Democracy party’s proposal focused solely on Karamanlis and only for felony charges. The main opposition party, Pasok, submitted a proposal naming eight political figures. A third proposal, from citizens—including a victim’s relative—and supported by smaller parties and independent lawmakers, targeted 11 political figures, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with charges of high treason.
The proposal by the ruling party, which holds a parliamentary majority, was ultimately adopted. Opposition parties accused the government of tabling its own proposal to shield other members from potential felony charges.
Last year, the government dismissed a call from the European public prosecutor to take action regarding alleged misappropriation by Karamanlis.
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