Former PASOK president George Papandreou’s newly established party issued an angry statement on Sunday against earlier criticism, namely, that its entry into the political foray enticed voters away from PASOK and thus allowed the extreme right-wing Golden Dawn party to place third in the vote.
“It would be wise for those who not only tolerated but also partnered with Baltakos and his likes to remain silent. Of all people, they are the ones who should speak the least concerning who is to blame for the fact that Golden Dawn is now the third political power in Greece,” the statement read.
The man that the statement refers to is the one-time legal adviser in outgoing PM Antonis Samaras’ government, Panayiotis Baltakos, who emerged in hidden camera video footage discussing political strategy with several Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) cadres in a chummy manner. Baltakos resigned after the footage was broadcast.
Papandreou established the Movement of Democratic Socialist in early January, following his falling out with his successor at PASOK’s helm, Evangelos Venizelos.
