Galery

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The discussion that followed considered issues such as how much the police operation "Xenios Dias" within which undocumented foreigners are being captured is an act of racism on the part of institutions. "I've thought a lot about this and I admit that I have no answer. When the state does nothing, we blame it for that. When it does, we criticize it again. Ultimately, is it possible for Greece to accept flawlessly the people who want to leave their countries?" politician Nikos Bistis said.

All four of them criticized the decision of the State Council (one of the highest courts in Greece – author’s note) to declare unconstitutional the law on acquiring Greek citizenship that had been voted two years ago. In their arguments, the magistrates indicated that the prerequisites of the law were not sufficient to create a strong link between the applicant for citizenship and the country and rejected it, based on the practice of the right of blood.

The supporters of the idea that all Greeks are racist emphasized the growing dynamics of Golden Dawn. Grigoris Valianatos and Kostis Papaioannou said that some media and incompetent journalists have actually contributed to the rise of the party with their reports.

"Golden Dawn has managed to cover the major sectors from which the state has withdrawn. In the neighbourhood, the local community, the housing problem - they throw tenants out onto the street. Employment - Golden Dawn makes appointments and dismissals. Schools - Golden Dawn decides which children should be admitted to kindergartens and this week, its members are trying to prevent the celebration of the events in the Athens Polytechnic School.

Many people wonder if Golden Dawn should be outlawed. I am one of those who have always believed that even if we want to we cannot do it, especially after it gained 7% of the vote during the elections. I think that the attitude towards Golden Dawn must correspond to what it actually is: organized crime. There is a legal framework for the punishment of Golden Dawn’s members who commit crimes. The state should act as the rule of law and above all, it should find the links between the initiators and the perpetrators of these crimes. This is how we will have to deal with Golden Dawn: Without outlawing it, to make the life unbearable for anyone who decides to join the party," Kostis Papaioannou said.

In the vote before the debate, the votes "for" were 68%, 21% "against" and 11% abstained. After the verbal "battle," the votes "for" increased by 2%, 20% voted "against" and 10% abstained.