The Parliament’s Ethics Committee has recommended the lifting of parliamentary immunity for Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of Course of Freedom, in connection with three separate cases arising from the Tempi train crash trial.
Which parties voted in favor of lifting Konstantopoulou’s immunity
After three consecutive postponements, the parliamentary committee convened behind closed doors to examine the cases involving alleged criminal acts committed by Konstantopoulou last spring, during proceedings related to the Tempi disaster. The incidents in question — which had previously dominated media coverage — centered on confrontations with a court secretary and police officers, with charges including the unauthorized recording of court proceedings.
New Democracy (ND) and PASOK voted in favor of lifting Konstantopoulou’s immunity. SYRIZA and Greek Solution abstained, while the Communist Party (KKE), NIKI, and Course of Freedom voted against.
Konstantopoulou: “The proceedings are rigged”
Speaking to parliamentary correspondents, Zoe Konstantopoulou described the case files as “fabricated” and denounced what she called “purely political persecution.” “The proceedings are rigged. I obviously object to this entire process. This is a clear attempt by New Democracy to cover up the Tempi crime and criminalize the actions of those who expose the truth. Today we once again witnessed abusive behavior from a Boy’s Club that treats women like garbage,” she stated, among other remarks.
Notably, Konstantopoulou clashed with the committee’s presiding board as well as with New Democracy MPs. Her voice could be heard echoing through the parliamentary corridors as she denounced what she described as “bullying” and “abuse,” while also referring to “cowardly individuals.”
Her complaints related to recusal requests she filed against committee members Giorgos Georgantas, Notis Mitarakis, and Dimitris Kairidis — requests that the presiding board ruled “are not provided for” under parliamentary procedure. Tensions also ran high over the amount of time she was allotted to present her arguments. The final decision now rests with the Plenary Session of Parliament.
