Ilias Kasidiaris to be released from prison and launch new party

Ilias Kasidiaris, a convicted former member of the criminal organization Golden Dawn, is scheduled for release from prison on September 15, 2026. Following his release, he intends to announce the formation of a new political party under the banner of his existing movement, 'Ellines'.

While the party describes itself as having a 'patriotic-nationalist' character, discussions have emerged regarding his ability to participate in future elections. Legal experts and officials, including Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, have noted that while there may be no direct legal way to prevent him from running as a candidate, there may be mechanisms to prevent him from serving as a party leader.

This follows a 2023 precedent where the Supreme Court blocked similar attempts by political formations linked to Kasidiaris from participating in elections. The court ruled that it has the authority to examine the true leadership of a political group to prevent the circumvention of legal restrictions through changes in names or organizational structures.