Tens of thousands of people attended a rally organized by the Association of the Families of Victims of the Tempe train collision, which killed 57 people in February 2023, at central Syntagma Square, in Athens, on January 26, 2025. [AP]
The Tempe train crash and the government’s handling of the tragedy will dominate the political agenda for the remainder of the month, with significant developments expected in the investigations, parliamentary proceedings, and public demonstrations.
The results of the ongoing investigation by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) are expected by the end of the week, while the National Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Authority (HARSIA) will release its findings on February 27. Both the government and the opposition will use these reports to determine their next steps.
A parliamentary inquiry, proposed by the main opposition socialist party PASOK, will be formed in the coming days to investigate possible misconduct in the handling of the aftermath by Deputy Minister of Civil Protection (formerly deputy minister to the prime minister) Christos Triantopoulos. He has said that he will resign once the inquiry is established.
On February 28, the country is preparing for a nationwide strike and rallies marking the two-year anniversary of the rail disaster.
A government reshuffle is all but certain, though the timing of its announcement remains under consideration. Its primary focus will be to remove cabinet officials connected to the Tempe train crash and its aftermath while strengthening the Prime Minister’s Office.
Santorini quake
Schools will remain closed this week, and emergency measures will stay in place on the islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Ios, and Anafi. Experts anticipate ongoing tremors in the coming days or weeks unless a major earthquake of magnitude 6 or higher dissipates the built-up energy along the fault off Anydros.
While the frequency of earthquakes has slightly decreased without increasing in intensity, two seismic and volcanic risk assessment committees concluded over the weekend that the situation is tilting toward a milder scenario of recurring tremors. Experts confirm that the seismic activity is due to submarine faults and is unrelated to the volcanic activity of Kameni or the Kolumbo submarine volcano.
Six densely built-up areas have been identified as being at risk of landslides, which could be triggered by heavy rainfall.
6th Southeast Europe and EastMed Conference in DC
Kathimerini English Edition, in collaboration with the Delphi Economic Forum and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), is hosting the 6th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Conference in Washington, DC, on Monday and Tuesday. The event will bring together political and business leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
UN under-secretary-general in Cyprus
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo will visit Cyprus on Monday for meetings with President Nicos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
The UN aims to restart stalled reunification talks for Cyprus, with plans for an informal five-party summit in Geneva in March. DiCarlo will also visit Athens and Ankara on Wednesday and Thursday.
Foreign Ministry meeting
The National Foreign Policy Council, chaired by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, will convene on Tuesday afternoon at the Foreign Ministry to discuss current developments in the Middle East.
Presidential election
The Greek Parliament will hold a fourth and final round of voting in the presidential election on Wednesday, during which Konstantinos Tasoulas is expected to be elected president of the Hellenic Republic.
Following a legal amendment introduced by the ruling New Democracy party, the threshold for the final round of voting has been lowered to 151 votes. Tasoulas, a former speaker of Parliament and a New Democracy MP, is widely anticipated to secure the presidency, as the party holds a majority of 156 seats in the 300-member parliament.
