Greeks vote to reject incumbants, austerity

[Puppycow]

Greek Vote Delivers Rejection Of Incumbents, Austerity

ATHENS (Dow Jones)--Greek voters Sunday delivered a stinging rejection of Greece's incumbent Socialist and Conservative parties and the austerity program they support, raising the specter of political instability that could ultimately challenge the country's future in the euro zone.

More than 60% of the popular vote went to smaller left- and right-wing parties that have campaigned against the austerity program Greece must implement in exchange for continued financing from its European partners and the International Monetary Fund.

With the country's political landscape dramatically recast, difficult talks for a multi-party coalition were set to follow the election of Greece's most fragmented Parliament since the restoration of democracy and the fall of the military junta in 1974.

But the prospect of a viable government emerging from these talks looked dim, raising the possibility of fresh elections before too long.

The Greek voters' resounding rejection of austerity came on the same day that French voters elected Francois Hollande as president, giving the country a Socialist leader who has pledged to shift the burden of hardship onto the rich and resolve the protracted euro sovereign-debt crisis by softening the current prescription of fiscal stringency.

Interesting times.

 

[MG1962]

Without knowing what exactly the austerity measures encompass it is hard to be too judgmental of what the Greeks have decided

 

[BravesFan]

I read today that the neo nazi party called Golden Dawn (i think...) has won seats in their parliament. This isn't good.

 

[Tsukasa Buddha]

This is a fun time for a politics junkie like me, but this seems to be the second anti-austerity election in the past few days. Since the recession there has been a trend for more rightist, nationalist parties in Europe (True Finns and National Front are the first to come to mind on the minor party front). But the Labour and Socialist victories this week might to be a change of things. I'm waiting for the breakdown of the vote to see what's what in Greece.

 

[geni]

I read today that the neo nazi party called Golden Dawn (i think...) has won seats in their parliament. This isn't good.

Not very new though. The Popular Orthodox Rally had some interesting people (okey Makis Voridis) elected.

 

[WildCat]

Without knowing what exactly the austerity measures encompass it is hard to be too judgmental of what the Greeks have decided

They've decided they still want to live off of other people's money.

They haven't yet figured out who those "other people" are yet though. Say, would you like to buy some Greek government bonds?

 

[MG1962]

They've decided they still want to live off of other people's money.

They haven't yet figured out who those "other people" are yet though. Say, would you like to buy some Greek government bonds?

Link?

 

[WildCat]

Link?

Link to what?

 

[MG1962]

Link to what?

Something supporting your opinion. Maybe they have a similar mind set to many Americans and don't want tax increases despite the level of debt the country currently carries

 

[geni]

They've decided they still want to live off of other people's money.

They haven't yet figured out who those "other people" are yet though. Say, would you like to buy some Greek government bonds?

The largest purchaser was greek banks (which is another problem people don't want to think about).

I think there are some theories that rich greeks should actualy pay some taxes or something (an interesting concept and one supported by the european centeral bank which should give you some idea how clueless they are).

 

[geni]

Something supporting your opinion. Maybe they have a similar mind set to many Americans and don't want tax increases despite the level of debt the country currently carries

Tax increases would imply that they pay tax. In practice greece's defict is such that it is not really viable to deal with it through increasing revinue.

 

[Puppycow]

I read today that the neo nazi party called Golden Dawn (i think...) has won seats in their parliament. This isn't good.

Apparently so. They've only won a few seats, but Neo-Nazis? C'mon Greeks.

Some big talk from a small party:
Be afraid, exultant Greek neo-Nazis warn rivals

ATHENS — Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn warned rivals and reformers Sunday that "the time for fear has come" after exit polls showed them securing their entry in parliament for the first time in nearly 40 years.

"The time for fear has come for those who betrayed this homeland," Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos told a news conference at an Athens hotel, flanked by menacing shaven-headed young men.

"We are coming," the 55-year-old said as supporters threw firecrackers outside.

According to updated exit polls, the once-marginal party will end up winning over six percent of the vote and sending 19 deputies to the 300-seat parliament on a wave of immigration and crime fears, as well as anti-austerity anger.

Exulting in the apparent breakthrough, Michaloliakos quoted Julius Caesar: "Veni, Vidi, Vici" -- I came, I saw, I conquered.

Michaloliakos said his party would fight against "world usurers" and the "slavery" of an EU-IMF loan agreement which he likened to a "dictatorship".

"Greece is only the beginning," he shouted at reporters as he walked to the news conference, accusing foreign media of spreading lies about his movement.

At the last general election in 2009, the virulently anti-immigrant group had scored just 0.29 percent.

 

[WildCat]

Something supporting your opinion.

It's right there in the OP - "Greeks reject austerity".

Maybe they have a similar mind set to many Americans and don't want tax increases despite the level of debt the country currently carries

Link?

 

[Puppycow]

Here's the wiki article on Golden Dawn:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dawn_(Greece)

Their flag very much resembles the Nazi swastika flag.

Golden Dawn described itself as a "People's Nationalist Movement" and "uncompromising Nationalists."[3] Michaloliakos described Golden Dawn as opposing the "so-called Enlightenment" and the Industrial Revolution.[3][4] According to the Party's charter, "only Aryans in blood and Greeks in descent can be candidate members of Golden Dawn".[4] Religiously, they currently support the Eastern Orthodox Church.

"Only Aryans". So it is not just hyperbole to call them "neo-Nazis."

 

[geni]

Here's the wiki article on Golden Dawn:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dawn_(Greece)

Their flag very much resembles the Nazi swastika flag.



"Only Aryans". So it is not just hyperbole to call them "neo-Nazis."

As I understand it the far right have had a presence in greek politics for quite a while. I belive the junta found them useful.

 

[MG1962]

It's right there in the OP - "Greeks reject austerity".


Link?

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_ne...crossroads-sees-obama-winning-tax-debate?lite

See how I did that? Googled "US tax debate" chose the first link and posted on this forum. Now that you have an example try it for yourself and see how you go - just remember opinion does not equal fact

 

[MattusMaximus]

I read today that the neo nazi party called Golden Dawn (i think...) has won seats in their parliament. This isn't good.

You are correct about Golden Dawn.

Yikes. I'm starting to get concerned that this sort of thing might catch on in other European countries as well. If so, that is going to be a very disturbing trend.

 

[Puppycow]

You are correct about Golden Dawn.

Yikes. I'm starting to get concerned that this sort of thing might catch on in other European countries as well. If so, that is going to be a very disturbing trend.

Referring to immigrants, Golden Dawn's campaign slogan in TV ads was: "Let's rid this country of the stench."

Charming.

 

[tomwaits]

Maybe they thought they were voting for the Aleister Crowley party?

 

[Howie Felterbush]

Are Greek Nazis worse than Illinois Nazis?