Maria Karystianou, the face of the movement for justice in Greece’s deadly Tempi train disaster, has confirmed she will launch a political party to contest the next national election, declaring that the legal battle for accountability has hit a political wall.
Speaking to broadcaster ANT1, Mrs. Karystianou said the persistent lack of answers three years after the crash that killed 57 people—including her daughter—has turned her personal crusade into a public obligation.
“Obviously, my original goal was not to create a new party,” Mrs. Karystianou said. “But now that we are in 2026 and we still have no answers and the cover-up continues, my involvement becomes a responsibility.”
The 53-year-old pediatrician has been a thorn in the side of the government since the 2023 head-on collision, organizing mass protests and petitioning European authorities.
She told the network that she has “exhausted all legal avenues” in Greece and now aligns herself with a broader citizens’ movement against corruption and cronyism.
Mrs. Karystianou outlined strict criteria for the new faction, explicitly barring active politicians from joining.
She ruled out cooperation with high-profile figures such as Nikos Farantouris, stating that while she respects him, the initiative requires a clean break from the established political system.
Despite the move, she vowed not to step down as president of the victims’ association unless formally requested by its members.
The announcement injects a volatile variable into Greek politics ahead of the scheduled trial in March.
Early polls suggest a Karystianou-led movement could significantly disrupt the electoral landscape, tapping into widespread public anger over state negligence.
“This is not more of the same,” she promised. “You will see a program and solutions… because we think like citizens.”