Whilst SYRIZA initially requested that “Justice be left alone to do its work”, it has now taken a more critical stance against the government’s handling of the Golden Dawn case.
Party leader Alexis Tsipras explained to Euronews that without the case file, he is not in the position to make any considerations regarding the decisions of the judiciary. He did however claim that the government had political responsibilities, citing the Minister of Public Order Nikos Dendias’ “initiative” to expedite 32 criminal cases involving Golden Dawn.
Mr. Tsipras questioned why the Minister of Public Order did not act until after an innocent man like Pavlos Fyssas was murdered and stressed that his party had posed over 44 questions in Parliament regarding the neo-Nazi party, without receiving any sufficient answers. The opposition leader believes that the government’s change-of-heart was to create the impression that it has the initiative.
Regarding the trial of Golden Dawn MPs and members, Mr. Tsipras asserts that the political and punitive liabilities must be separated and that the judiciary must be allowed to operate independently. The opposition leader expressed his concern and dismay at Mr. Dendias’ comment that he “would have given further evidence to the interrogating judges had they asked for it”.
According to SYRIZA the government has tried to cover up its long-term inactivity and thanks to its exceptional haste creating even greater problems, as evident by the release of three Golden Dawn MPs. The opposition party accused the government of purposely not requesting the lift on the parliamentary immunity of Golden Dawn MPs, thus hindering the judiciary.
Finally SYRIZA charged the Prime Minister and his government with promoting a theory of “two extremes” in an effort to equate Golden Dawn’s crimes and fascist phenomena with the social struggles of the left. For SYRIZA tackling Golden Dawn is primarily a political matter and the “two extremes” theory subverts any antifascist efforts. To that end, the opposition party has requested a General Assembly in Parliament, to discuss the matter and how to safeguard democracy.
