Parliament approves legislation against far-right party in elections

Greece’s Parliament approved the new legislation in order to prevent the participation in the elections of criminal organizations under the guise of a political party, such as the far-right.

The legislation, which targets the extreme-right National Party-Greeks of jailed former Golden Dawn member Ilias Kasiadiaris, was passed with the vote of 178 MPs from ruling New Democracy and center-left opposition PASOK-KINAL.

Main opposition SYRIZA abstained from the voting insisting that the legislation had to be modified.

Communist KKE, nationalist Greek Solution and MeRA25 voted against the legislation.

The amendment broadens the ban on the far-right party by increasing the number of judges in the competent chamber of the Supreme Court, from five to a maximum of 10, who will decide which parties will take part in the May 21 elections.

This decision is expected by May 5 at the latest.