The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is likely to bring up the issue of modernizing the country’s railway transport system with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during their meeting in Rome on February 19. A development that is anticipated due to the pressure put on the Greek government by both the political opposition and public opinion, regarding the Tempi train disaster in 2023.

Sources report the government is actively preparing its defense strategy in anticipation of a Parliamentary Preliminary Investigation Committee, expected to be established as early as the week after next.

The government also braces itself for renewed public scrutiny due to the nationwide rally taking place on February 28 to commemorate two years since the tragic Tempi train accident, which claimed the lives of 57 people.

Government Considers Rail Nationalization

Greek rail transport is currently managed by Hellenic Train, a subsidiary of the Italian state-owned railway company, Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane, which is why Mitsotakis is expected to push for the replacement of train cars with newer, more modern models during the meeting with his Italian counterpart.

However, the government, along with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, is also preparing its response in case the judicial investigation into the accident assigns blame to Hellenic Train.

But government sources for the time being emphasize that Greece is honoring its current relationship with the train company, iterating, at the same time that if circumstances change, nothing can be ruled out—not even a form of nationalization.

Such a process would be legally complex but would not necessarily mean a full return of railway operations to the Greek state.

Parliamentary Probe and Tempi Reports Loom

Regarding the Parliamentary committee requested by opposition party, PASOK to investigate potential criminal liabilities of the then minister-to-the-prime minister, Christos Triantopoulos, concerning the alleged tampering with the accident site, there are two prevailing views.

The first suggests that prolonging the issue in public discourse could be damaging to the government. The second argues that it presents an opportunity to demonstrate that there was no cover-up, potentially reversing the overwhelmingly negative public opinion.

Furthermore, reports from research institutes and agencies investigating the causes of the Tempi tragedy are expected to be submitted, after which and depending on the report results, the government may face a motion of no confidence, which opposition parties have already hinted at.

Amid this turbulence, the prime minister’s office is grappling to manage the crisis while also preparing for the next steps.