Sunday, May 6th : election day, a tribute to democracy! What a day! What a disappointing day…
Supposedly the most important elections in Greece, supposedly the Greek people voted responsibly in accordance to each one’s knowledge, education and perception. And here is what we got as a result of our democracy, here’s our truth, here’s our own reflection.
I believed that these elections were super important for my country, but I guess that it was not the case for 40% of my countrymen. Yes, 40% of Greeks were completely indifferent – as for four out of ten Greeks, these elections were not in their priorities list.
And then, hundreds of thousands Greeks, 8,4%, freely choose to vote for the neo-nazis. Neo-nazis gathered enough votes to win 21 seats in the Greek parliament and parliamentary immunity.
This is a true shock to democracy. The general results of May 6th elections have shocked our political scene, but the biggest shock comes from this result.
It is very disappointing that in a country like Greece, the cradle of democracy, where so many were killed fighting the Nazis during WWII that a neo-nazi party is now in parliament.
Even before the elections, members of Chrysi Avgi have been carrying out acts of violence and hate crimes against illegal immigrants, political opponents and ethnic minorities.
Some years ago, unknown suspects vandalized the Monastirioton synagogue, a memorial for Holocaust victims and Jewish cemeteries in Thessaloniki and Athens. There were claims that Chrysi Avgi's symbols, a swastika-like logo, were present at all four sites.
The Chrysi Avgi bookshop sells Hitler's Mein Kampf and other neo-nazi propaganda.
During the elections, young party supporters with shaved heads and wearing black shirts with the Chrysi Avgi symbol set up vigilante groups to protect Greeks from immigrants. They have been blamed for several attacks on foreigners. Is this the way to make our country safe?
It’s true that Chrysi Avgi’s anti-immigrant campaign has put the spotlight on an issue long ignored by the political mainstream :the large inflow of immigrants, now representing 10 percent of the population. But is this the best way my country can deal with the issue?
The party’s election platform includes plans to landmine Greece’s borders, immediately arrest and expel illegal immigrants, and set up special labor camps for legal immigrants.
Right after the initial results of the election, the leader of Chrysi Avgi held a press conference. During the conference and before he entered the room, his party’s officials demanded that everybody should rise as an ovation to the leader. Should a journalist refuse to stand, they must leave the room (voluntarily or by force).
What if they show similar improper behavior in the Greek parliament?
Are we about to witness the return of stiff-armed salutes and fascist flags?
Are we entering an era of xenophobia, fanaticism, intimidation, social unrest and racism?
