Ilias Kassidiaris, a former leading figure of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party, was released from prison on Tuesday after completing his sentence for directing the criminal organization. Within minutes of his release, he announced plans to return to politics and establish what he described as a “new strong national party.”
Kassidiaris was sentenced to 13 years in prison following the landmark 2020 trial of Golden Dawn, in which the organization was found to be a criminal organization. His release marks the end of his imprisonment, but it does not by itself settle the question of his return to electoral politics.
A New Political Party
Speaking after leaving prison, Kassidiaris said he would return to the political arena and announced plans for a new party. He is expected to make further statements about his political plans on Monday.
His announcement comes after years of efforts to maintain a political presence while in prison. In 2020, he founded the National Party – Greeks, which was subsequently prevented from taking part in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
The Supreme Court of Greece barred the party from the May 2023 election. The court’s decision examined the relationship between Kassidiaris and the political formation and concluded that he was its actual leader.
The Electoral Question
Kassidiaris’ release and his announcement of a new party have revived a question that is separate from his release itself: what political rights does he now have, and can he participate in future elections?
Legal experts have pointed to the restrictions introduced into Greek electoral law following the Golden Dawn case. They have also stressed that the final decision on whether a political formation and its candidates meet the legal requirements for an election will rest with the competent section of the Supreme Court when elections are called.
That means the announcement of a new party should not be confused with confirmation that such a party would be allowed to contest an election. The legal status of any future political formation connected to Kassidiaris would have to be examined under the rules in force at the time.
A Return to Greek Politics
The development nevertheless represents a significant moment in the political afterlife of Golden Dawn. Kassidiaris is now outside prison and openly seeking to rebuild a political organization, while the Greek legal system has already demonstrated that a party associated with him can be prevented from appearing on the ballot.
His next move will therefore be watched not only for what kind of political organization he seeks to create, but also for how that organization attempts to navigate Greece’s electoral framework.
For now, one fact is clear: Kassidiaris is free, he says he is returning to politics, and he intends to build a new national party. Whether that project can ultimately reach the ballot box is a separate question that remains to be decided under Greek law.
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