Kostis Hatzidakis on Tempi: Supporting Judicial Investigation, Rejecting Penal Populism

Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated that the government will not hinder the judiciary from doing its job but will avoid entering the realm of penal populism or witch hunts. Speaking on ERT’s First Program on Tuesday (20.5.25), he emphasized that the government’s approach is demonstrated by the path followed in the Triantopoulos case. Meanwhile, Hatzidakis criticized PASOK for their handling of the Tempi tragedy, labeling it as another blunder and accusing them of exploiting the issue politically. He highlighted that Article 291 of the Penal Code refers to dangerous interventions in stable systems requiring intent to cause harm. The deputy prime minister also noted that Greece is part of modern Europe, advocating for meritocracy and accountability in public administration. Furthermore, he discussed infrastructure projects and the EU budget negotiations for the period 2028-2034, stressing the importance of securing significant funding while safeguarding agricultural and cohesion policies.