Golden Dawn emerged from the elections as the third political force in Greece but also in 28 of the 56 constituencies in the country, according to yesterday’s results, while the vote counting for the European elections reaches 87 %. Golden Dawn received 9.41 %, 1.4 % higher than that of Elia party (8.01 %). Three members of the Golden Dawn are elected to the European Parliament, despite the hostile attitude of the organization towards a united Europe and its institutions.

Laconia is the region that gave the highest percentage to Golden Dawn reaching 15.54 %. In northern Greek regions, Pella, Imathia, Kastoria , Kilkis, Thessaloniki, Pieria and the Evros, and Corinthia and Argolida the percentage of Golden Dawn recorded ranges between 12.93 % and 10.98 %. In Attica, Golden Dawn received 12.30%.

The fact that Golden Dawn came third caused negative comments in Greece and abroad, with each party expressing their dislike and sadness for the popular endorsement of an organization whose leaders are in jail and face criminal offences.

The electoral presence of the Golden Dawn is associated with the trend of Euroscepticism and right wing – nationalist movements throughout Europe that got high percentages in the European elections. Nevertheless, Golden Dawn is considered neo-Nazi party, and therefore it will be marginalized even by those European parties which have common ideological views with the Golden Dawn.

On Sunday night, through GD’s spokesman, Elias Kasidiaris, General Secretary Nikos Michaloliakos who is held in prison, addressed to the Greek people expressing his gratitude and congratulating all the friends of the party for supporting Golden Dawn and not believing in the lies of the government. He also lashed out at prime minister Antonis Samaras as well as at leader of main opposition party Alexis Tsipras.

He also stated that “The Golden Dawn is now the third political force and our party’s force increases rapidly” and added that “They imprison us, muzzle us and slander us because they are afraid of us. The people spoke and now the demand is clear: The legitimacy and constitutional order must be restored immediately. To restore the sovereignty of the people and the representatives of the nation, the members of the Golden Dawn to exercise again free their parliamentary duties.