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On Friday, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras made a statement on the scandal with Baltakos, stressing that he has been combating Golden Dawn harder than anyone else from the very first moment, and that no criminal organization will regulate political life.

During his meeting with the leadership of the Greek-American charitable organization in the USA, Samaras said that he would not allow unacceptable actions by any government official.

"This government absolutely supports the independence of the judiciary with the same unyielding faith. And all those who want the resignation of the two ministers are equal with Golden Dawn in terms of their petty political purposes. However, we are moving forward with the necessary unity and political stability," added the Prime Minister, also referring to SYRIZA.

The Prime Minister said that the country was now making a huge step forward, exiting the crisis and taking its destiny in its own hands and that was the most important thing for all Greeks.

"Greece is exiting the crisis. Greece is entering the international markets and no one can change that. And we will let no one pull us back again. Think of what the situation was two years ago," Samaras said, adding that "we did this thanks to the sacrifices of Greek people and now, when these sacrifices are paying off, we are turning the page for Greece."

Tsipras’s comments

"Baltakos is not the main theme, but Samaras". The Prime Minister is being checked for the close ties of his associates with the extreme right and Golden Dawn. He cannot pretend to be honest; the least he should do is come to parliament and provide explanations for the international humiliation of the country", said SYRIZA President Alexis Tsipras.

Previously, SYRIZA issued a statement alleging that Samaras’s statements are an admission of guilt and that instead of talking about his own responsibilities, the Prime Minister resorted to his well-known approach – attacks against SYRIZA.

Expressing disapproval of Baltakos’s behaviour is not enough, SYRIZA noted. According to the party, Baltakos is not simply a huissier in parliament, but he is a trusted close associate of the Prime Minister and an important representative of the government with a particularly neuralgic role. Baltakos has been the means of communication between Samaras and neo-Nazi Golden Dawn.

"SYRIZA has been repeating that the Prime Minister is personally responsible and needs to make explanations in parliament and prepare his "heroic" leave," ends the statement of SYRIZA.

Meanwhile it evident that the scandal with Baltakos has had a clear impact on the attitude of voters for the European elections. SYRIZA’s lead over New Democracy is increasing, according to a sociological survey of Metron Analysis, according to which the scandal has increased the support for SYRIZA and Democratic Left, leaves the situation for New Democracy unchanged, slightly strengthens Golden Dawn and hits “To Potami” movement and the Communist Party.

According to the study carried out by Metron Analysis between 27 March and 3 April, SYRIZA leads with 19.5% of preferences of voters against 18.4% for New Democracy.

“To Potami” movement ranks third with 10.4%, followed by Golden Dawn with 5.8%, the Communist Party - 4.5%, "Elia" (PASOK) - 4.3%, Independent Greeks - 2.7% and Democratic Left - 2.3%. 9.7% of voters have not decided yet.

The comparative data before and after the scandal with Baltakos are very interesting.

In the first stage of the study, up to Saturday, 29 March, New Democracy collected 25%, SYRIZA- 25.4%, "Elia" - 5.8%, Independent Greeks, 3.9%, Golden Dawn - 7.3%, Democratic Left - 2.9%, the Communist Party - 6.9%, and "To Potami" movement - 15%.

According to the study after the findings of 30 March things for New Democracy have not changed, the approval of which had changed from 25% to 25.1%.

However, the situation for SYRIZA has changed, the approval of which has increased from 25.4% to 27.7%.

Golden Dawn has won 1.2% and Democratic Left - 1.6%. The Communist Party has marked a retreat from 6.9% to 5.3%, “To Potami” movement - from 15% to 13.3%, and Independent Greeks - to 3.5% from the previous 3.9%.