EC opens infringement proceedings against Greece on rail safety

The European Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to Greece for failing to align with the requirements of EU railway safety legislation (the Railway Safety Directive, Directive 2016/798). The Directive covers safety requirements on the railway system as a whole. In Greece, the Commission considers that there have been longstanding shortcomings in the implementation of the Directive since its entry into force. It says the shortcomings are systemic and also stem from a lack of safety culture within the organisations involved.  Greece now has two months to formally respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission.  In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion, the next step before referring the country to the EU Court of Justice.

Earlier this month tens of thousands of Greeks poured into the streets to demand justice over the Tempi rail crash that killed 57 people in February 2023.

One of the largest demonstrations in recent years took place in the capital’s Syntagma Square in front of the parliament, while protests took place in more than 100 cities in Greece and abroad.