Op-Ed: Greece’s Fascists Are Gaining

Nikos Michaloliakos greeting supporters at a pre-election
rally in Athens last month.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: ATHENS — Just hours after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s new cabinet was sworn into office on Sept. 23, Twitter users began protesting the appointment of one of his junior ministers, Dimitri Kamenos, from the right-wing anti-austerity party Independent Greeks. Mr. Kamenos had published homophobic, anti-Semitic and racist comments on Twitter.

Within hours, Mr. Kamenos was fired, making his tenure one of the shortest in Greek political history. What’s most worrying about the incident is not his racist tweets, but the fact that reactionary views have gained popularity in crisis-ridden Greece, especially in areas where migrants are arriving in large numbers. And there is real risk that the popularity of these views will increase.

In Kos and Lesbos, the epicenters of the refugee crisis, the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party doubled its share of the vote, exceeding 10 percent in some places. The absence of functioning government institutions in Greece — and the total lack of a collective European Union policy to address the crisis — have created the conditions that hateful ideologies need in order to grow. While the local authorities were waiting for the central government to react, and as the Greek government waited for the European Union to make up its mind about the growing waves of immigration that flooded the islands, the neo-Nazis took advantage of the situation to spread their hate. » | Matthaios Tsimitakis | Sunday, October 4, 2015

Golden Dawn MP Furiously Tears Up Papers in Parliament over Bailout Deal

Far right Golden Dawn MP, Ilias Kasidiaris harshly criticises the deal Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras agreed to during an impassioned speech to Parliament.

Papers are thrown across parliament and a minister resigns as Greece's PM attempts to win a vote on laws ahead of a new bailout.

SS Songs and Antisemitism: The Week Golden Dawn Turned Openly Nazi

Golden Dawn supporters wave party and Greek national flags
during rally outside parliament on 4 June.

THE OBSERVER: Supporters of the far-right party gave Hitler salutes and sang the Horst Wessel song outside parliament last week. Helena Smith reports from Athens on how Golden Dawn has taken on a sinister new tone

It has been a bad week for democracy in Athens. All around this great Greek city, the politics of hate now lurk. On Friday I got a taste of it in the tiny Italian-style cafe I frequent off Syntagma Square.

It arrived in the form of two middle-aged men, both supporters of the neo-fascist Golden Dawn – and, by their own account, the holders of university degrees, well-travelled and well-informed. Over espressos, they began to engage in an animated discussion about all that is wrong with Greece.

The first, a self-described businessman decked out in designer suit, brogues and silk tie, blamed the country's economic collapse on malfeasance, corruption and uncontrolled immigration. "The only way to teach our filthy politicians is to bring in Golden Dawn," he trilled, his eyes locked in a fierce glare. "These gentlemen are patriots, proud Greek nationalists, and they know how to deal with the scum, the foreigners who never pay taxes, who steal our jobs, who have taken over our streets."

Dismissing charges that Golden Dawn is a criminal gang masquerading as a political group, the second – a self-described government employee – said the far right was the best response yet to the great Jewish conspiracy of an interconnected banking system that has come with globalisation. "Let's not forget all the faggots and the Jews, the wankers who control the banks, the foreigners who are behind them, who came in and fucked Greece," he insisted. "The criminals who have governed us, who have robbed us of our future, of our dreams, need a big thwack." » | Helena Smith | Saturday, June 07, 2014

Greek Neo-Nazi Party Golden Dawn Opens Up Montreal Chapter

Golden Dawn Members Call for Government Resignation over Shooting

Lawmakers from Greece's far-right party Golden Dawn are calling for the resignation of the minister in charge of police, after two of its members were gunned down on Friday. They say Nikos Dendias, who has removed their police protection, is putting them at high risk of attack from terrorists

Golden Dawn...or Dusk? Greek Far-right Party Faces Criminal Charges

The leader of Greece's far-right Golden Dawn party is set to appear before magistrates to face charges of criminal activity. Four senior members of the group have already made preliminary court appearances, three of them were released pending trial. A clampdown on the political part was sparked by the killing of an anti-fascist musician last month, allegedly carried out by a member of Golden Dawn.

Inside Story: Facing Up to Greece's Far Right

Will the arrests of Golden Dawn members halt the party's growing popularity permanently?

Golden Dawn MP Christos Pappas Surrenders to Greek Police

THE GUARDIAN: Far-right party's parliamentary spokesman walks into police headquarters 24 hours after arrests of key members

A Greek MP said to be the second in command of the far-right Golden Dawn party has surrendered after authorities arrested the organisation's leader and other key members on charges of running a criminal gang.

Christos Pappas, the party's parliamentary spokesman and unrepentant holder of many of its most hardline views, handed himself over to police more than 24 hours after an unprecedented crackdown on the neo-fascist group began.

Appearing at Athens's central police headquarters in a taxi, the politician insisted the vehemently anti-immigrant party would "survive … the political persecution" it was being subjected to.

"I present myself voluntarily. I have nothing to hide, nothing to fear," he told reporters waiting outside the building where five other Golden Dawn MPs, including Nikos Michaloliakos, its leader, were taken into custody on Saturday. "The truth will shine. Nationalism will win. We will wage a non-stop political struggle and we will survive."

Like other members who appeared in court in handcuffs hours after their arrest, Pappas faces charges of murder, money laundering, extortion and intent to commit crimes. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Sunday, September 29, 2013

Golden Dawn Supporters Protest Arrests in Greece

Supporters of the far-right Golden Dawn party in Greece protest the arrest of 19 members including their leader, outside police headquarters.

Greece Crackdown: Golden Dawn Leader Michaloliakos Charged

BBC: The leader of the far-right Golden Dawn party, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, has been formally charged with belonging to a criminal organisation.

Four more Golden Dawn MPs, a party leader in an Athens suburb and 15 other people face the same charges.

They were arrested on Saturday amid anger over the murder on 18 September of anti-racist musician, Pavlos Fyssas.

A man held for the stabbing told police he was a Golden Dawn supporter, though the party strongly denies any link.

The MPs arrested on Saturday were party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris, Ilias Panayiotaros, Nikos Michos and Ioannis Lagos. It is the first time since 1974 that a party leader and MPs have been arrested.

It was an extraordinary moment to see the five MPs being escorted in handcuffs by armed police in balaclavas, BBC Athens correspondent Mark Lowen reports.

They will now return to police headquarters and are likely to be refused bail before their trial, our correspondent says.

Mr Panayiotaros told reporters before giving himself up: "Shame on them, the people will lift Golden Dawn higher." » | Saturday, September 28, 2013

Golden Dawn Leader Charged with Heading a Criminal Gang »

Golden Dawn Leader Charged with Heading a Criminal Gang

THE GUARDIAN: Nikos Michaloliakos appears in court after he is arrested along with key members of his Greek neo-fascist party


The leader of Greece's Golden Dawn party, widely viewed as Europe's most violent political force, appeared in court on Saturday night on charges of heading a criminal gang after police mounted an unprecedented crackdown on the neo-fascist party, arresting Nikos Michaloliakos and other key members of his organisation.

After a police operation in which anti-terrorism officers stormed the homes of Golden Dawn politicians across Athens, Michaloliakos and five of his MPs were seized. Fifteen other senior party activists, including a female police officer, were taken into custody accused of fomenting violence as members of a criminal organisation. Reading from a nine-page charge sheet, a public prosecutor accused the far-rightists of murder, extortion and money laundering.

The crackdown was hailed as "a historic day for Greece and Europe" by the public order minister, Nikos Dendias, who oversaw the operation, known only to three security officials before it was launched a little after dawn. "Golden Dawn tried to test the endurance of democracy," he said in a televised address, insisting that the inquiry into the party's illegal activities would continue apace. "Today it got an answer from state justice." » | Helena Smith in Athens | The Observer | Saturday, September 28, 2013

Golden Dawn MP: 'It's the Beginning of Their End'

BBC: An MP for the far-right party Golden Dawn has said that the arrest of its leader does not spell the end for the party.

Meanwhile Golden Dawn supporters have gathered outside police headquarters in the Greek capital, after Nikolaos Michaloliakos, three more MPs and 13 others were detained.

"This is only the beginning of their end, not ours," MP Artemios Matheopoulos told the BBC's Mark Lowen.

He also rejected the suggestion that his party had any involvement in the murder of the musician Pavlos Fyssas on 18 September.

A man held for the stabbing told police he was a Golden Dawn supporter, though the party strongly denies any responsibility. Watch BBC video » | Saturday, September 28, 2013

Golden Dawn Supporters Rally in Greek Capital after Arrests

BBC: Supporters of the far-right Golden Dawn party have gathered outside police headquarters in Athens, after the party's leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, three more MPs and 13 others were detained.

The arrests come amid anger over the murder on 18 September of anti-racist musician, Pavlos Fyssas.

The BBC's Mark Lowen visited the scene of the protest in Athens and described the atmosphere as "extremely difficult". Watch BBC video » | Saturday, September 28, 2013

Greece's Golden Dawn Leader Nikolaos Mi[c]haloliakos Held

Nikolaos Michaloliakos

BBC: Greek police have arrested the leader of the far-right Golden Dawn party, Nikolaos Mi[c]haloliakos, on charges of forming a criminal organisation.

Another Golden Dawn MP has been held and more warrants issued, police said.

The arrests and warrants come amid anger over the murder of anti-racist musician, Pavlos Fyssas, who was fatally stabbed on 18 September.

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Greece described Saturday's events as "an unprecedented clampdown on the neo-Nazi party". Watch BBC video » | Saturday, September 28, 2013

Party Leader of Greece's Far-right Golden Dawn Arrested

Nikos Michaloliakos, the leader of Greece's far-right Golden Dawn Party has been arrested by Greek police along with a party lawmaker following the fatal stabbing of an anti-racism rapper by a Golden Dawn supporter.

L’article en relation avec cette vidéo »

Greece Arrests Golden Dawn Leader in Crackdown on Far-right

Nikos Michalololiakos

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Greek police have arrested Nikos Michaloliakos, leader of the Golden Dawn party, as part of a wider crackdown on the far-right group.

Nikos Michaloliakos, 56, was arrested on Saturday morning on charges of founding a criminal organisation, with arrest warrants issued for dozens more party members and lawmakers, officials said.

"The Secretary General and one lawmaker of the Golden Dawn Party were arrested a short while ago after arrest warrants were issued," Greek police confirmed in a text message to journalists.

The arrest of Michaloliakos along with party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris comes as part of a wider crackdown on the far-right group after the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas by an alleged Golden Dawn member, which sparked riots across the country.

Pavlos Fyssas – known by his stage name of Killah P – was stabbed to death in an Athens commuter town on September 17, triggering violent anti-fascist protests across the country. » | Andrew Marszal | Saturday, September 28, 2013

Anti-Fascist Fury: Protest against Golden Dawn Turns Violent in Greece

A mass anti-fascist rally has turned violent in Athens after furious protesters tried to storm the headquarters of the far-right Golden Dawn party. The anger was sparked by the murder of a left-wing rapper last week by a sympathizer of the neo-Nazi party. It's not going to be easy for the government to crack down on the neo-Nazis as we've been hearing from the author of 'The Greek Crisis in the Media'.

Greece Seized by New Sense of Foreboding as Violence Flares in Streets

THE GUARDIAN: Clashes between far-right Golden Dawn and anti-fascists raise fears that crisis has reached new stage

It was not the scene that Greece's international stewards envisaged when they last visited the country at the epicentre of Europe's financial mess. When representatives of the "troika" of creditors arrived in June, book-keeping in Athens had been problem-free and monitors described their inspection tour as "almost boring". The great Greek debt crisis, it seemed, had finally gone quiet.

But when mission heads representing the European Union, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank fly into Athens on Sunday – for the start of a review upon which the future of Greece will hang – what they will find is a country teetering on the edge: its people divided as never before, its mood brittle, its streets the setting for running battles between anti-fascists and neo-Nazis. And unions girding for battle.

After six years of recession, four years of austerity and the biggest financial rescue programme in global history, it is clear that Greeks have moved into another phase, beyond the fear, fatigue and fury engendered by record levels of poverty and unemployment.

Along with the teargas – fired on Monday for the first time in more than a year outside the administrative reform ministry – there is a new sense of foreboding: a belief that they might never be "saved" and, worse still, could turn against each other.

This week's murder of the hip-hop artist Pavlos Fyssas by a member of the far-right Golden Dawn party highlighted that fear. Read on and comment » | Helena Smith in Athens | Friday, September 20, 2013

Neo-Nazi Murder: Greeks Protest Rise of the Far-Right

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: The alleged murder of a leftist rapper by a neo-Nazi has shocked Greece, where thousands have taken to the streets to protest the rise of the far-right Golden Dawn party. Athens says it is determined to take action.

As Pavlos Fyssas was laid to rest in Athens on Thursday morning, thousands of Greeks took to the streets to pay their respects to the anti-fascist rapper and demonstrate against the escalating violence engulfing the country.

When he was stabbed to death early on Wednesday, the 34-year-old became the most prominent victim of a wave of right-wing extremism that, if left unchecked, some fear may degenerate into generalized instability as social tensions rise on the back of the country's economic crisis.

A 45-year-old man, Giorgos Roupakias, has been arrested for the crime and, according to police, has confessed to both the murder and his ties to the far-right Golden Dawn, which has seen a meteoric rise in popularity and is now Greece's third most popular political party. » | Georgios Christidis in Thessaloniki | Thursday, September 19, 2013

Verwandt »

Greece Moves to Ban Far-right Golden Dawn Party

THE GUARDIAN: Government to table emergency legislation after murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas at ultra-nationalist rally

The Greek government has hinted that it will seek to ban Golden Dawn after the far-right party was linked to the murder of a leading leftwing musician in Athens.

As violence erupted on the streets and demonstrators protested after the fatal stabbing of Pavlos Fyssas, a prominent anti-fascist, the public order minister, Nikos Dendias, cancelled a trip abroad saying the government would table emergency legislation that would seek to outlaw the group.

Amid renewed political tensions between the extreme left and right, the new law would re-evaluate what constituted a criminal gang, he said.

"Neither the state will tolerate, nor society accept, acts and practices that undermine the legal system," the minister told reporters, adding that the attack showed "in the clearest way the [party's] intentions".

Earlier in the day, police raided Golden Dawn offices across the country, with media reporting running street battles outside branches in Crete, Thessaloniki and Patras.

Voted into the Greek parliament for the first time last June, the neo-fascist Golden Dawn has been widely accused of employing violence to further its ratings in the polls. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Wednesday, September 18, 2013