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[POLITICS] · Greece · 17 sources

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Pavlos Marinakis challenges ELAS spokesperson over Golden Dawn and 2019 Penal Code

A sharp political confrontation has erupted between Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis and Theoni Koufonikolakou, spokesperson for the Hellenic Left Symparataxia (ELAS). The dispute centers on the handling of far-right extremism and the legacy of the previous administration.

Marinakis challenged Koufonikolakou to address three specific issues regarding the SYRIZA government: the 2019 changes to the Penal Code that reduced sentences for criminal organization management—which he claims benefited Golden Dawn members—the failure to pass legislation allowing the exclusion of parties led by convicted criminals from elections, and the delays in securing a courtroom for the Golden Dawn trial. He urged her to consult Alexis Tsipras regarding these past legislative actions.

In response, Koufonikolakou criticized the government's handling of the cost-of-living crisis, fuel discounts, and corporate excess. She argued that social anger is rising due to economic pressures and a lack of consultation with citizens. The exchange has also drawn criticism from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), which accused the government of employing a 'theory of two extremes' to equate communism with Nazism to deflect from social discontent.

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Alexis Tsipras · Golden Dawn · Greece · New Democracy · Pavlos Marinakis · SYRIZA · Theoni Koufonikolaki · Theoni Koufonikolakou

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