MeRA25: Government amendment 'amputates democracy to save it from amputation'

The opposition MeRA25 party on Friday expressed its objections to the proposed legislation intended to bar those convicted of forming criminal organisations from participating in elections, saying it amounted to an "amputation of democracy".

"The amendment that the government has tabled in order to supposedly exclude neonazis from the elections unfortunately confirms all that we noted from the start: you cannot amputate democracy in order to supposedly save it from those that wish to amputate it, because that would be a victory for Kasidiaris by your own hands," a MeRA25 announcement said.

It also noted that the phrasing "true leadership" in the amendment had "interesting historical precedents", citing the erstwhile EPEN party that Interior Minister Makis Voridis had once belonged to, while urging Voridis "to clearly tell us whether this draft bill is a form of very belated self-criticism or simply a way to eliminate the 'competition' in the same pool of voters."

The party also warned of the dangers that the same legislation might be used to target parties that are communist, as well as far right.