In a decisive move, the Greek parliament approved an amendment on December 17 to suspend funding for the Spartan Party. The amendment also requires the party to repay state grants it previously received after it failed to participate in the European Parliament elections last June.
That absence wasn’t by choice; the Greek Supreme Court barred the party from running, citing its ties to Ilias Kasidiaris. The convicted leader of the now-disbanded Golden Dawn, a neo-Nazi organization deemed a criminal enterprise, Kasidiaris is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence for his role in the party’s illegal activities.
Though the Spartans denied any formal connection to Kasidiaris, he openly endorsed the party from prison, and they welcomed his support. The National Party, another group linked to him, faced similar exclusion from Greek elections in 2023.
Cracking Down on Misuse of Public Funds
Greek lawmakers hailed the amendment as a safeguard for democracy and a necessary step to curb financial abuse. The new law establishes strict rules for party funding, requiring active participation in elections to qualify for state grants. It also mandates that any party failing to meet these criteria must repay funds within a month of notification.
Further, the legislation permanently halts funding for parties found tied to criminal activities. Critics have long pointed out loopholes that allowed groups like the Spartans to secure taxpayer money despite questionable affiliations.
Backlash and Accusations
Panagiotis Doudonis, a Socialist Pasok Party MP, criticized the government for dragging its feet. “After over €1.7 million of taxpayers’ money was lost, the government is finally taking steps. It’s better late than never, but this delay has cost the Greek people dearly,” he said. Doudonis argued that funding a party allegedly under the sway of a convicted criminal undermines trust in public institutions.
Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios acknowledged that the Spartans received €1.7 million but noted no funds had been allocated since October.
Spartans Push Back
Vasilis Stigas, the Spartans’ president, defended his party passionately in parliament, claiming they represent 250,000 Greek citizens. He dismissed the allegations as baseless, stating, “We don’t even have so much as a traffic ticket, and yet we’re being called thieves and fraudsters.” Stigas accused critics of mudslinging and pointed out that Pasok itself carries €430 million in debt, implying hypocrisy in their accusations.
Restoring Accountability
This high-profile controversy comes as Greece grapples with the legacy of Golden Dawn’s violent history. Members of the disbanded organization were convicted of hate crimes, including murder, targeting immigrants, political opponents, and minorities. The government’s renewed focus on democratic accountability aims to close loopholes and rebuild public trust.
While the Spartans insist they’ve been unfairly targeted, critics see this as a long-overdue reckoning with parties accused of exploiting taxpayer funds and undermining democratic principles.
