Greek Supreme Court Bans Far-Right Party Spartans from European Parliament Elections
In a shocking decision, Greece’s Supreme Court has barred the far-right party Spartans from fielding candidates in the upcoming European Parliament elections this summer. The court ruled that Spartans, a small party that unexpectedly entered the Greek Parliament last year, was essentially a reincarnation of the banned neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn.
The court found that Spartans served as a front for Ilias Kasidiaris, the former spokesman of Golden Dawn who is currently in prison. According to the court, Kasidiaris is the true leader of Spartans, using the party as a way to circumvent eligibility restrictions and continue his political activities.
This decision comes amid growing concerns across the European Union about the rise of far-right and extreme-right movements. The upcoming E.U. elections will be a crucial moment to gauge the mood of millions of Europeans and their views on their leaders. While mainstream parties are expected to dominate the new European Parliament, there is also an increase in power among far-right parties with nativist and anti-migrant ideologies.
Vassilis Stingas, the nominal leader of Spartans, dismissed the court’s decision, questioning its validity without a trial. Meanwhile, Ilias Kasidiaris and other Golden Dawn leaders were found guilty in 2020 of running a criminal organization that targeted leftist critics and migrants, leading to the party’s disbandment.
As Spartans faces legal challenges on multiple fronts, including allegations of electoral fraud, the party’s future in Greek politics remains uncertain. A special court is expected to rule on these complaints before the European Parliament elections, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Greece.
Despite the court’s decision, concerns remain about how the law may be interpreted in the future regarding banning convicted individuals and their associates from running for office. The battle between mainstream parties and far-right movements continues to unfold, shaping the political landscape in Greece and beyond.
