Greek far-right party seeking to sidestep election ban

ATHENS

Greece’s far-right The Greek Party is seeking to sidestep the election ban, which was approved by parliament in February, reported local media on Friday.

Former assistant Supreme Court prosecutor Anastasios Kanellopoulos replaced Ilias Kasidiaris, who is now serving a 13-year prison sentence for the membership to neo-Nazi Golden Dawn and announced plans to adjust the party’s charter to overcome the ban, said Kathimerini newspaper.

“Participation of the Greeks Party could potentially change the outcome of the May 21 parliamentary election as poll margins tighten between the leading incumbent New Democracy party and a left-wing opposition party, SYRIZA,” the daily underscored, adding that the party is currently polling above the 3% threshold required to gain seats in parliament.

In a related development, according to the newspaper, the government will make legislative amendments next week to widen the far-right party’s election ban.