KurtFF8
23rd May 2012, 16:13
Source (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/23/golden-dawn-supporters-clash-greek-police)
Supporters of an extreme right party which entered Greece (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/greece)'s parliament for the first time in the 6 May elections have clashed with police during an anti-immigrant protest in the western port of Patras.
The clashes followed a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of residents outside an old factory inhabited by migrants seeking to stow away on ferries bound for Italy, according to Greek authorities.
Riot police guarding the immigrants responded with teargas after they came under fire from stones thrown by supporters of the anti-immigrant group Golden Dawn, which held a separate march.
Several suspected rioters were detained by police, according to the Associated Press news agency.
The protests followed the fatal stabbing of a local man, allegedly by illegal Afghan migrants.
Golden Dawn won 7% of the votes in the elections on a tide of anti-immigration sentiment after it campaigned using the slogan "let's rid this country of the stench".
Its leader, Nikos Michaloliakos, was among the party chiefs who held meetings with the Greek president, Karolos Papoulias, as attempts were made to form a coalition in order to avert new elections.
Recent polls have shown falling support for Golden Dawn ahead of the new round of elections on 17 June, so it remains uncertain if the party will retain its seats.
Not a very smart electoral strategy, considering half of police voted for GD.
Supporters of an extreme right party which entered Greece (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/greece)'s parliament for the first time in the 6 May elections have clashed with police during an anti-immigrant protest in the western port of Patras.
The clashes followed a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of residents outside an old factory inhabited by migrants seeking to stow away on ferries bound for Italy, according to Greek authorities.
Riot police guarding the immigrants responded with teargas after they came under fire from stones thrown by supporters of the anti-immigrant group Golden Dawn, which held a separate march.
Several suspected rioters were detained by police, according to the Associated Press news agency.
The protests followed the fatal stabbing of a local man, allegedly by illegal Afghan migrants.
Golden Dawn won 7% of the votes in the elections on a tide of anti-immigration sentiment after it campaigned using the slogan "let's rid this country of the stench".
Its leader, Nikos Michaloliakos, was among the party chiefs who held meetings with the Greek president, Karolos Papoulias, as attempts were made to form a coalition in order to avert new elections.
Recent polls have shown falling support for Golden Dawn ahead of the new round of elections on 17 June, so it remains uncertain if the party will retain its seats.
Not a very smart electoral strategy, considering half of police voted for GD.