Tensions are extremely high ahead of a vote that could shape the future of a country and a currency. In an election with wide implications, the Greek people are holding parliamentary elections are really a proxy battle on the international austerity packages the country is being pushed to take by other international governments. This is actually the second round — a prior May 6 vote effectively created a stalemate due to the rise of the once-obscure Syriza party, which promises to cancel all austerity deals if elected. Above is a clip that explains exactly what’s at stake — the possible break-up of the Eurozone. And below, a couple of notable things that happened so far today:
Remember Greece’s Golden Dawn political party? You know, the one with the guy who channels Hitler when he speaks, and won 21 seats in recent parliamentary elections? They’re back in the headlines again after spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris assaulted candidates from the rival SYRIZA and Communist parties during a televised debate. (Jump to 1:10 in the video. It’s crazy.) A warrant has been issued for Kasidiaris, who is also scheduled to go on trial Monday for his role in a separate mugging incident. source
Journalists who refused to stand in respect for Golden Dawn party leader Nikolaos Michaloliako were forcibly removed from a recent press conference. Michaloliakos railed against the conservative Samaras party, illegal immigrants, and the mainstream press before heaping praise on the youth he believed responsible for Golden Dawn’s election success. “I want to dedicate this victory to all of our brave lads,” he said, continuing, “who wear the black t-shirts with the ancient letters reading ‘Golden Dawn’.”(Photo via CBC News) source
idroolinmysleep asks: Re: Greek parliament -- you might want to note that Golden Dawn, which has 21 seats according to your chart, is a neo-Nazi party. AFP has a story on it (Google for Golden Dawn Nazi and it'll come right up).
» SFB says: We actually covered this first thing this morning, but it’s certainly worth emphasizing again. They’re on track to get 7 percent of the vote, which is fairly huge considering they got .29 percent in the prior election. Certainly not a positive development. — Ernie @ SFB
In an ironic twist of history, ‘democracy’ collapses day after day in its cradle, only to reveal itself as a bloodthirsty cacophony of exploitation, suppression and inhumanity.Al Jazeera English columnist Nikolas Kosmatopoulos • Offering up a particularly harsh take on the state of affairs in Greece, which is holding elections today. His article’s title? “If elections could change things, they’d be illegal.” A tough title for a tough sentiment, in which Kosmatopoulos says that the rising influence of the far right has made targets of the poor and of immigrants in the country. The country, which runs on a multi-party parliamentary system, could see fringe groups, such as the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn, get significant shares of the votes on Sunday. What happens to a country so battered by economic austerity that fringe groups gain significant power? Let’s hope we don’t find out.
Copyright 2009-2013 Ernie Smith • Ask us stuff! • E-mail us • Follow us on Twitter • Follow us on Facebook
