British BBC Reports on Greek Extremists Party Before Elections

Titled “Greece’s Far Right Hopes For New Dawn,” the BBC reports from Athens about the current position of the Greek extremists political party.

Mark Lowen, BBC correspondent in Athens, writes that “their critics call them violent extremists, but they try to show off their soft side.” Golden Dawn members appear as philanthropists, delivering food items to poor people and thus, “it wins votes.”

One 76-year-old cancer sufferer tells the British journalist, “They’re helping us, so I should give them something in return.”

“But beyond the benevolent facade is a party that strikes fear into many here. With a virulent anti-immigrant line, Golden Dawn are often labeled neo-Nazis,” reports Lowen in Athens.

And he continues, commenting that only four decades after a right-wing military dictatorship, Greeks flock to Golden Dawn. “Now polls give them over 5% – enough to enter Parliament.”

Lowen was present during the extremists’ attack towards PASOK MP deputy, Petros Eythumiou. After the incident, the former Education Minister told the British, “This is the face of fascism, just brutal violence. And no respect for democratic values. But this is a problem not only for Greece but for all of Europe.”

He also spoke with some Golden Dawn party members, who state that “we believe in our race, we believe in our nation’s power.” The party spokesman promises voters they will “put mines on our borders and have electric fences.” “We’re Greek nationalists and we’re proud of it,” he continues.

The BBC correspondent concludes: “a divided and deeply angry nation is going to the polls, desperate for an alternative – a nation fearing the future and looking for someone to blame.” He also labels the immigrants as “scapegoats,” because “with more than 80% of migrants to the EU now passing through Greece, they are an easy target for a nation sinking deeper into recession.”