The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has sharply condemned recent anti-communist statements by Konstantinos Kyranakis, Secretary of New Democracy (ND), Greece's ruling party, accusing the Greek government of playing a leading role in the political rehabilitation of convicted neo-Nazi political figure Ilias Kasidiaris.
Kasidiaris, a former leading figure of the criminal neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn, remains a prominent reference point for sections of Greece's far right.
Kasidiaris, a former leading figure of the criminal neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn, remains a prominent reference point for sections of Greece's far right.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 16, the KKE's Central Committee Press Office denounced Kyranakis for invoking the so-called *theory of the two extremes*, which equates fascism with communism. According to the communists, this historical distortion places Nazi perpetrators on the same level as their millions of victims, including the communists who played a leading role in the anti-fascist struggle.
The KKE also criticized Kyranakis for invoking the European Union to justify this equation, arguing that such an appeal merely exposes the EU's reactionary and anti-communist character.
Particularly revealing, the party noted, was Kyranakis' response when questioned about the polling support for Kasidiaris' party. Rather than expressing concern over the far right's electoral influence, he reportedly focused on the growing support for the KKE, revealing, according to the communists, what the government actually fears.
The KKE linked the government's anti-communist rhetoric and its alleged whitewashing of neo-Nazi forces to Greece's increasing involvement in imperialist war plans. It argued that reactionary and fascist forces can prove useful in periods of war preparation, while the Communist Party is targeted for opposing policies that endanger the Greek people in the interests of powerful business groups.
Concluding, the KKE referred to the 200 communists executed by the Nazi occupation forces at Kaisariani in May 1944, contrasting their sacrifice with the crimes of fascism. The party also pointed to its influence among students and young workers, which, it argued, is a source of concern for the government and the political system it represents.
The KKE also criticized Kyranakis for invoking the European Union to justify this equation, arguing that such an appeal merely exposes the EU's reactionary and anti-communist character.
Particularly revealing, the party noted, was Kyranakis' response when questioned about the polling support for Kasidiaris' party. Rather than expressing concern over the far right's electoral influence, he reportedly focused on the growing support for the KKE, revealing, according to the communists, what the government actually fears.
The KKE linked the government's anti-communist rhetoric and its alleged whitewashing of neo-Nazi forces to Greece's increasing involvement in imperialist war plans. It argued that reactionary and fascist forces can prove useful in periods of war preparation, while the Communist Party is targeted for opposing policies that endanger the Greek people in the interests of powerful business groups.
Concluding, the KKE referred to the 200 communists executed by the Nazi occupation forces at Kaisariani in May 1944, contrasting their sacrifice with the crimes of fascism. The party also pointed to its influence among students and young workers, which, it argued, is a source of concern for the government and the political system it represents.
