Golden Dawn

Greece's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the far-right party Spartiates (Spartans) will be excluded from the upcoming European parliament elections. 

The Supreme court unveiled the final roster of parties that are set to compete on June 9 and deemed that the far-right party could not participate.

Since the last European elections in 2019, 163 complaints have been lodged against MEPs for workplace harassment, fraud, nepotism, financing and, even espionage for Russia, according to Belgian newspaper La Libre in February.

Of the 21 Greek MEPs, at least five have dealt with the justice system and were investigated for criminal and non-criminal offenses.

Ilias Kasidiaris, the convicted former spokesman of the now-defunct neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, has resigned from the Athens Municipal Council after being sworn into office in late December.

A lawyer who represented former MEP Yiannis Lagos of the now disbanded Golden Dawn party has been permanently disbarred from the Athens Bar Association after a decision on Wednesday by the Secondary Disciplinary Council, chaired by Supreme Court President Ioanna Klapa-Christodoulea.

One woman was injured and 13 people were arrested on Wednesday night in clashes between far-right groups and anti-fascists in central Athens, following gatherings on the 10th anniversary of the murder of two members of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. 

A total of 60 people were detained. 

Nine individuals were taken into police custody on Wednesday at Neo Iraklio, Attica as a precaution against violent riots given the 10th anniversary of the murder of two members of the far-right party Golden Dawn. 

Despite a ban on gatherings that is in force until 6 a.m. on Thursday, a large number of people have gathered in the areas of Neo Iraklio and Nea Ionia. 

Iraklio station on the Athens metro will close early Wednesday afternoon, following an order from the police who fear that it could become the scene of violence as neo-Nazis plan to gather nearby for a commemoration.

In any other European state, there would be no debate about allowing convicted neo-Nazis to submit their candidacy for any level of government, be it in local, national or European elections. This is often overlooked when discussing the possible election of members from the now-defunct neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, and its convicted former spokesman, Ilias Kasidiaris.

A little-known political party endorsed by a jailed former lawmaker won seats in Greece's next parliament in an election Sunday, signaling a political comeback for the far right.

A far-right party banned from participating in the upcoming election has pledged support for a newly founded political group that received Supreme Court approval to field candidates.

It was the latest twist in Greece's volatile far-right politics that could have an impact on the upcoming election.