Ilias Kasidiaris, the jailed former deputy leader of Golden Dawn, has declared his intention to run for the mayorship of Athens in the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for October.
Representing the political party Free Athenians, Kasidiaris aims to advance to the second round and secure victory, as stated in a message conveyed by his lawyer, Vassiliki Pantazi.
In his statement, Kasidiaris highlighted his vision to preserve Athens’ Greek identity and historical heritage, resisting the forces of globalisation that threaten to erode its cultural essence.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding Athens’ Christian faith and tradition, vowing to keep them intact amidst the changing landscape.
However, the government is preparing a new amendment to block Kasidiaris from participating in the mayoral race, AMNA reported, replicating their actions during the general elections earlier this year in May and June.
After being prohibited from participating in those elections by the Supreme Court, Kasidiaris openly supported the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party, which remarkably secured 4.7 per cent of the vote and 13 seats in the 300-member parliament.
The party leader, Vassilis Stigas, publicly expressed gratitude for Kasidiaris’ backing.
Currently serving a 13-year and six-month prison sentence for involvement in a criminal organisation, Kasidiaris was once a prominent member of Golden Dawn, a party with neo-Nazi origins associated with numerous violent attacks on migrants and the notorious 2013 murder of musician Pavlos Fyssas.
