Greek Nationalists Vow to Run in EU Elections Despite Crackdown

Greece's ultra-nationalist Golden Dawn party says it will find a way to run for the European elections in May, despite an ongoing crackdown against it.

The party's leader Nikos Michaloliakos and five other former MPs are in currently in jail on allegations of running an organized criminal group. Furthermore, in October, the Greek parliament voted in favor of suspending the state funding for the extremist party.

"We will participate in the elections, one way or another. Greek nationalists who have not been involved in criminal organisations, who have no criminal record have founded a new patriotic party, the National Dawn", party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris said, quoted by EurActiv.

"They put us in jail. And what happened? Did we falter? No, we did not. We are stronger, we are more powerful and in a short time we will be in power", Kasidiaris added.

Golden Dawn entered parliament for the first time in 2012, tapping resentment against illegal immigrants and politicians blamed for a crisis that has forced thousands out of work and plunged the economy into a six-year recession.

Polls released last week show that Golden Dawn would receive between 8.9 and 10.3 percent if the elections were held now.

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