Europe

Greece cuts off state funding to far-right Golden Dawn party

Financial support suspended to parties whose leaders or 10% of politicians are charged with involvement in a “criminal organisation” or “acts of terrorism”

Yiorgos Roupakias is escorted by anti-terrorism police officers outside a court in Athens on October 10th. Roupakias is in custody pending trial over the killing of Greek rapper Pavlos Fissas last month. Photograph: Reuters.

Thu Oct 24 2013 - 01:00

Greek politicians have voted to cut off state funding to the far-right Golden Dawn party, the latest government effort to clamp down on the party.

Golden Dawn had steadily risen on the back of an anti- austerity and anti-immigrant agenda to become Greece’s third-most popular party, until the killing of a left-wing rapper by a party supporter last month triggered the government crackdown.

A provision passed by 235 politicians in the 300-seat parliament suspends state funding to political parties if their leaders, or a 10th of their politicians, are charged with involvement in a “criminal organisation” or “acts of terrorism”. The move could deprive Golden Dawn of a major financial resource.

Athens has allotted €11 million for elected parties in 2013, including €873,000 for Golden Dawn.

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The fatal stabbing of Pavlos Fissas (34) prompted prosecutors to investigate party politicians over a series of crimes. Prime minister Antonis Samaras has vowed to wipe out the party, describing it as a “gang of neo-Nazis” that threatens democracy.

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