Greece’s Supreme Court, Arios Pagos, ruled on Wednesday afternoon that the far-right party, Spartiates – the Spartans – cannot participate in the upcoming European elections on June 9, 2024.
Although the reasoning has not published yet, Mega TV reported that the Supreme Court suggested that the former No 2 of neo-Nazi Golden Dawn, convict Ilias Kassidiaris was the real leader of Spartiates.
At the same time, the decision of the Electoral Court on whether the Spartans, under probe for possible Parliamentary elections fraud for the same reason, can keep their seats in the Parliament is pending and is expected to be announced later today.
After the June 2023 elections the party had 12 MPs in the Parliament but lost 5 as 3 went independent when the probe started and 2 were dismissed by the party leader.
One of the independent ex Spartans MP punched and injured a lawmaker in the Parliament on Wednesday.
Greek parties in EU elections
The Supreme Court gave the green light to 31 out of total 46 parties to participate in the European elections and claim citizens’ votes.
According to media information, the 14 parties have been excluded from the elections as they did not paid the required participation fee of 20,000 euros.
The fee may seem high, however, every party that gets over 1.5% in the EU elections, will have 70% of the fee paid back, Mega TV reported.
Greece can elect up to 21 MEPs in the European Parliament.
