The government on Thursday tabled a draft amendment essentially aimed to prevent the participation of a burgeoning political party in this year’s general election, established by convicted and still imprisoned Ilias Kasidiaris.
Kasidiaris was convicted of being a prominent member of the now defunct Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party, which was ruled a criminal organization by an appellate-level court at the end of a closely watched trial.
He served as a top lieutenant to GD founder Nikos Mihaloliakos, who is also incarcerated at present, and was elected to Parliament on two occasions with the extreme right-wing formation.
While the aim is to prevent an overtly or thinly concealed neo-Nazi party from vying for office, opposition to the draft bill’s provisions has come from certain constitutional law experts and even other political parties, concerned over the prospect of the new law being employed to outlaw other movements, deemed as extremist.
On Thursday, government sources merely conveyed an interpretation by which citizens’ constitutional right to establish and participate in political parties doesn’t cover criminal organizations and their participation in parliamentary elections under the guise of a political movement. The draft amendment would also forbid individuals convicted of criminal offences, of “particular disrepute”, from holding leadership positions in political parties.
A special Supreme Court division designated with approving parties’ participation in whatever elections would be the final adjudicator of what constitutes a criminal organization appearing as a political party and which individuals can be excluded.
The draft bill is expected to land on Parliament’s floor on Tuesday and come up for a vote by the plenum the same evening.
Latest News
Athens Int’l Airport Wins Top Prize at Routes Europe Awards
The Routes business is focused entirely on aviation route development and the company's portfolio includes events, media and online businesses
IOBE: Income Gap Between Poor and Wealthy Greeks Widens
The findings in the analysis, entitled “Progressivity in Income Taxation in Greece, 2012-2021", paint a bleak picture for Greeks in the bottom half of the income bracket, warning that income inequality is growing
Study Finds 4 in 10 Greeks to Slash Easter Spending
This year, hit by persistent inflation, many Greeks will be dishing out less on food, drink and gifts for Orthodox Easter on May 5
ELSTAT: Overnight Stays in Greece Up in Feb.
The provisional monthly data revealed that arrivals at tourist accommodations amounted to 773,104 and overnight stays were 1,677,685
Electric Energy: Greece’s New Sustainable Export
Moreover, a surplus of generated electricity cannot be fully absorbed by domestic grids and this excess power finds eager buyers in the form of companies entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), willing to pay a premium for clean energy
IOBE Revises Greek GDP Growth Downward, to 2.1% For 2024
Annual inflation is expected to reach 3%, up from the previous forecast of 2.8%
Last Sections of 136km E65 Highway Inaugurated on Tues.
Athens to Karditsa drive time is expected to drop to two and a half hours (under normal conditions), and some three hours from Athens to Trikala
Reuters: Greece to Repay More Bailout Loans Ahead of Maturity in 2023
The country has relied solely on international markets for its borrowing needs since a third institutional bailout ended in 2018
Ag Min. Avgenakis: Greece-China Cooperation in Research, Education in Agri-Food Sector
Greek minister tours cutting-edge hydroponics and robotics facilities at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing
Mini Holiday Season in Greece for Upcoming Orthodox Easter
Occupancy rates reach up to 90% domestically for accommodations open ahead of peak summer season