Maria Karystianou, a mother who lost her daughter in the 2023 Tempi train crash in Greece, has now formally stepped into politics, announcing the creation of a new party under the name “We Begin – The Independent Citizens’ Movement” (Ξεκινάμε- Ανεξάρτητο Κίνημα Πολιτών). The symbol of the new party is a white dove holding an olive branch, a reference to peace, hope and renewal.
“We begin on the first of the month aiming to take the lead in action for truth and justice,” Maria Karystianou said, presenting the launch as a transition from civic mobilization to organized political action.
The announcement came shortly after the second day of the ongoing trial into the Tempi disaster, a case that continues to fuel public anger over accountability and systemic failures. As she put it, we begin on the first of the month aiming to take the lead in action for truth and justice, From “I” to “We”.
Ξεκινάμε πρώτη του μήνα για την πρωτιά στη δράση για ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ και ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣΥΝΗ!
Από το «Εγώ» στο «Εμείς»Υπάρχουν στιγμές στην ιστορία ενός τόπου που η σιωπή γίνεται πιο βαριά από την ίδια την αδικία. Σε μια τέτοια στιγμή, επιλέξαμε να μιλήσουμε. Όχι γιατί είναι εύκολο, αλλά…
— Maria Karystianou (@mkaristianou) April 1, 2026
Who is Maria Karystianou
Maria Karystianou rose to national prominence after losing her daughter in the Tempi train crash, a tragedy that killed 57 people and sparked mass protests across Greece.
Since then, she became one of the leading figures among victims’ families, consistently demanding justice, transparency and institutional accountability. She has played a key role in organizing demonstrations and shaping public pressure, turning personal grief into a broader civic movement.
Her presence in rallies and public discourse has made her a symbol of the demand for justice in Greece, often representing a wider frustration with political institutions and state failures.
A declaration built on collective identity
In announcing the party, Karystianou describes it as a broad, inclusive movement rather than a traditional political organization. We are people from different backgrounds, with diverse paths, whether rooted in activism or not, of every age and experience, she explains, emphasizing that no single label can define its members.
At the heart of the initiative, she places a shared belief that we deserve a better country, alongside what she describes as an urgent need to confront existential threats facing society and the nation.
She portrays the party as socially inclusive, bringing together workers, students, professionals, artists and the unemployed, united by the goal of building a better common future. “We are people who see injustice and refuse to look away,” she adds, highlighting solidarity as a central principle.
From public anger to political formation
The creation of this political initiative is directly rooted in the aftermath of the Tempi disaster. According to Karystianou, it was born from public demand, at a moment when calls for justice revealed deeper structural problems within the state.
She argues that struggles which once seemed isolated are in fact collective and capable of achieving real change. The Independent Citizens’ Movement, as she calls it, is not the end, but only the beginning—a starting point grounded in determination and the belief that citizens can reshape the country’s future.
This shift marks a significant evolution: from protest and advocacy to direct political participation, with Karystianou positioning the initiative as a vehicle for those who feel excluded or disillusioned by the existing political system.
A call to move forward together
Maria Karystianou presents the initiative as something that belongs to everyone and no one at the same time, describing it as the result of a conscious decision by citizens not to remain passive.
“We move forward not individually but collectively,” she stresses, calling on people to join what she frames as a unifying effort for the rebirth of Greece.
