Photo: amna.gr/Alkis Konstantinidis
Contrary to the wide spread opinion, Dimitris Triandafilidis does not believe that the strength of Golden Dawn has grown due to illegal immigration. "A large part of the Greek society has not sincerely respected democracy since 1974. The time has just come, when they express this position. I would like to recall that in the referendum to determine the political system, which was held in the same year, 30 per cent of Greek voters had voted in favour of restoring the monarchy, which was standing on the side of the junta. This 30 per cent did not disappear. These people were not Nazis but this political movement was created precisely through the insincere attitude towards democracy and its institutions. We should not delude ourselves. Golden Dawn is a political movement. It has a political programme. It is outside the democratic framework, but that is another matter. In all cases, however, it is no longer a marginal movement. Ultimately, 450 thousand people voted for Golden Dawn. Fewer voters voted for the Communist Party. However, it enjoys the tolerance of society, although it denies the system. Therefore, Golden Dawn responds. Democracy is the same for everyone and has the same requirements to everyone."
For some days, the Greek police have started announcing the number of immigrants who have already been sent back to their countries, voluntary in most cases. "This number is very small compared with that of the people who have illegally entered the country. According to unofficial data, their number is around one million. If between 80-300 leave every day, as stated in the police reports, it will take several years to fully solve the problem."
It is easy to assume that some of the illegal immigrants in downtown Athens are hiding to avoid being captured and extradited. "These are mainly offenders of crimes. Gangs composed of Somalis, Sudanese and Afghans, who are the key players in drug trafficking, are currently hiding." According to Dimitris Triandafilidis, the police must continue the operation because the centre of Athens will otherwise become the scene of very dangerous developments.