In Greece, the far right nationalist party Golden Dawn is the answer for a growing segment of the population. It gained almost 7% of the vote and 18 parliamentary seats in the elections in June and is thought to have doubled its following since then.
Listening to their chants (link to video), it is clear that the organisation provides members with a sense of pride and purpose, (even if fuelled by prejudice and hatred): "Blood! Honour! Golden Dawn" or "Greece! Greece! Victory or Death!".
Some have even gone as far as to suggest that Golden Dawn is tolerated or even encouraged by the elite (government or other leaders) as it carries out actions that the police can't be seen to do directly themselves. Certainly the organisation is careful to seek support and supporters. It has been filmed handing out food free in central plazas to all 'true' Greeks and fighting forest fires.
But it is apparent police tolerance of - or involvement with - Golden Dawn that is worrying some. Golden Dawn members have beaten up protesters while these are held in police custody and chased and beaten homosexual couples in front of officers. The organisation is happy to show its violent side to the cameras: their smashing up of a market was on the Spanish TV news two months ago and one of their spokesmen even threw water at and started thumping an opposition politician during a live TV debate.
Should we be worried about the growth of Golden Dawn in Greece? Could such a group appear here in Spain if the crisis were to worsen?
This horrible party gives me the creeps. Some time ago I actually thought that nothing similar to the Nazi party could come to life again but this global economic crisis has made me realise the contrary. Germany was miserable, no one had a single penny and work was scarce. The politicians had carried the country to the ruin (after losing the WWI) A far right wing named the Nazi party appeared and it seemed a solution to many. We all know how this story ends. I find this start similar to the golden dawn party. Scary isn’t it?
ReplyDeleteThe main reason why this group has appeared is quite clear, people are discontent and most of them don’t like to blame their selves or their own country so they start blaming the minorities. The cheap demagogy this party uses has done the trick. Many Greek people have fallen in the trap as they are desperate and they need a solution, and we all know that when someone is back to the wall he can be quite dangerous. Although we know who the “bad ones” are, some Greeks have been brainwashed. Even a segment of Greek police supports this Greek party and for these reason it can’t be stopped easily and if Greece’s economy doesn’t get better this could become a major issue that should be treated internationally. That’s why we should worry about it.
I sincerely am uncertain about what could happen in Spain. There are some parties that are extremely racists in Catalonia like “Plataforma per Catalunya” whose leader is Josep Anglada. This party wants to regulate immigration and criticises Islamic people constantly like you can see in this add http://www.vozbcn.com/2011/05/12/71816/video-xenofobo-plataforma-triunfa/. 75000 people voted this party in the last elections. This should make us think what could end up happening. It will all depend on how economy develops here.
I think it all depends on economy because when the bellies are full the people are happy and violence decreases, this has been proved.