Spartans (political party)

Spartans (political party) is a far-right political party in Greece, founded in June 2017. It rose to national prominence in the June 2023 Greek legislative elections, entering the Hellenic Parliament for the first time. The party is known for its staunch Greek nationalism, hardline Eurosceptic stance, and alignment with the views of the imprisoned former Golden Dawn leader, Ilias Kasidiaris.

History

The party was officially founded on 26 June 2017 by Vasilis Stigkas, a former candidate for the nationalist Popular Orthodox Rally party. For its first several years, it remained a minor, fringe group with minimal public presence or electoral success. Its political fortunes changed dramatically following a 2022 legal ruling that banned the convicted leadership of the far-right Golden Dawn from participating in elections. The imprisoned former Golden Dawn spokesman, Ilias Kasidiaris, who was serving a prison sentence for his role in the criminal organization, publicly endorsed the Spartans as his preferred electoral vehicle from his cell in Domokos Prison. This endorsement, disseminated through Kasidiaris's blog and social media, mobilized a significant portion of the former Golden Dawn electorate. Capitalizing on this support, the Spartans achieved a breakthrough in the June 2023 election, securing 4.64% of the vote and 12 seats in the Hellenic Parliament.

Ideology and political positions

The party's platform is anchored in radical Greek nationalism and Right-wing populism. It promotes the concept of Greater Greece, expressing irredentist views towards regions like Northern Epirus in Albania and areas of Turkey. It is fiercely Eurosceptic, advocating for Greece's exit from the European Union and characterizing the bloc as a "modern occupation." The party strongly opposes North Macedonia's name under the Prespa Agreement, which it views as a national humiliation. On social issues, it adheres to national conservative values, opposing LGBT rights and immigration, which it frames as threats to national and religious identity. Its rhetoric often emphasizes law and order, Orthodox Christian traditions, and a rejection of Globalization.

Leadership and organization

The party is led by Vasilis Stigkas, a lawyer who serves as its president and parliamentary representative. The core organizational structure was significantly bolstered by the covert support and voter networks of the disbanded Golden Dawn, particularly through the influence of Ilias Kasidiaris. Key figures include spokesperson Eleftherios Synadinos, a former MEP for the Popular Orthodox Rally, and other parliamentarians like Dimitris Katsikis. The party maintains a centralized leadership model and utilizes online platforms and rallies to communicate its message, often holding events in symbolically charged locations such as Thermopylae.

Electoral performance

The party contested the 2019 national elections but received only 0.09% of the vote, failing to win any seats. Its electoral breakthrough came in the double elections of 2023. In the May 2023 election, it received 2.92%, falling just short of the 3% threshold for parliamentary entry. In the repeat June 2023 election, it more than doubled its share to 4.64%, crossing the threshold and winning 12 seats in the Hellenic Parliament. This result made it the seventh-largest party in the legislature and demonstrated its ability to consolidate the far-right vote following the dissolution of Golden Dawn.

Controversies and legal issues

The party is deeply controversial due to its direct association with the convicted leadership of the criminal organization Golden Dawn. Its de facto spiritual leader, Ilias Kasidiaris, is serving a 13-year prison sentence for directing a criminal organization, following the landmark 2020 trial. Critics, including the New Democracy government, accuse the Spartans of being a legal front for the banned neo-Nazi group. In response, the Greek government passed an amendment to electoral law aimed at blocking parties with convicted criminal leaders from participating in elections, a move widely seen as targeting the Spartans. The party and its officials have also been criticized for employing inflammatory rhetoric against minorities, political opponents, and international institutions like the European Union and the United Nations.

Category:Political parties in Greece Category:Far-right political parties in Greece Category:National conservative parties in Europe