Karystianou resigns as head of Tempi Victims’ Relatives Association
Maria Karystianou announced her resignation from the board of the Association of Relatives of Victims of the Tempi train disaster on Tuesday night, stepping down from a role she had until recently held as president.
In a social media post, Karystianou cited internal divisions, procedural irregularities and the refusal to publish the association’s financial statements. She said that the resignation of a board member cannot be decided by third parties and called for a general assembly to elect a new board.
Karystianou also complained of systematic obstacles to her work, including criticism of her interventions at the European Parliament on alleged rule-of-law violations linked to the Tempi case.
Her resignation followed a request by five board members earlier this month, after Karystianou announced plans to establish a political movement. In a letter dated Jan. 10, the board members said she was free to engage in political activity but not to represent the association or use her position for political purposes.
Poll shows Karystianou-led party in second place
A new opinion poll by Interview for Political shows that a potential party led by Maria Karystianou would rank second in voting intention, if elections were held now.
According to the survey, a Karystianou-led party would secure 14.5%, trailing the ruling New Democracy party at 23.9%. PASOK would place third with 10.5%, followed closely by a potential Alexis Tsipras-led party at 10%.
The Communist Party (KKE) was measured at 5.5%, Greek Solution at 5%, Course of Freedom at 4.5%, Voice of Reason at 3.2%, MeRA25 at 2.9%, Democracy Movement at 2.5%, SYRIZA at 2.3%, NIKI at 1.4%, and New Left at 1%.
