Greek Parliament Ousts Spartans Lawmakers Tied to Neo-Nazi Politician

In a landmark decision on Tuesday, Greece’s highest election court expelled three lawmakers from parliament due to their ties to a jailed far-right figure convicted of leading a violent criminal organisation.

The expelled lawmakers, all elected under the far-right Spartans party in the June 2023 elections, were found to be acting under the influence of Ilias Kasidiaris, a former senior member of the neo-Nazi-inspired Golden Dawn party. Kasidiaris is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence for orchestrating attacks against migrants and political rivals, as part of his leadership in what the court ruled was a criminal organisation.

The ruling, which cannot be appealed, was welcomed by Greece’s center-right government. It reduces the number of MPs in the 300-seat Hellenic Parliament to 297 and lowers the threshold for an absolute majority from 151 to 149 votes. The decision is effective for the remainder of the current parliamentary term, ending in 2027.

Vasilis Stigkas, the Spartans’ party leader, and two of his fellow MPs were deemed to have misled the electorate by concealing Kasidiaris’ influence over the party. While the Spartans secured 4.7% of the vote in the 2023 election, critics have long warned of their ideological proximity to Golden Dawn, which was officially declared a criminal organisation by Greek courts in 2020.

Despite the ruling, two remaining Spartans MPs will continue to serve in parliament as independents. The party has denied formal links to Kasidiaris or Golden Dawn and has not yet issued a statement in response to the court’s decision.

Under Greek electoral law, parties are barred from participating in elections if they are found to be directed—officially or unofficially—by individuals convicted of serious crimes such as treason or membership in a criminal organisation, which carry sentences of life imprisonment.

The decision highlights the growing scrutiny of far-right movements across Europe and their impact on democratic institutions. As such parties gain traction in several EU countries, Greece’s move signals a firm stance against extremist groups attempting to circumvent democratic safeguards.

Source: pagenews.gr