Ilias Kasidiaris, the former MP sentenced to 13 years in prison for leading the Golden Dawn criminal organisation, was released from prison today. Upon leaving Domokos prison, he spoke of a “new, strong national party” and said he intends to return to the “front line” of political confrontation.
His release, however, does not mean he can immediately establish a new party. Following a 2023 amendment to Greece’s electoral law, for an electoral coalition to be approved, its president, secretary-general, members of its governing body, legal representative and “actual leadership” must not have been sentenced to imprisonment for certain serious offences, including leading a criminal organisation.
A candidate’s conviction for involvement in a criminal organisation can also trigger a review by the Supreme Court to determine whether the party’s activities serve the free functioning of the democratic system. Based on the 13-year sentence imposed in 2020, the relevant restriction extends until October 2033, according to the prevailing legal interpretation.
He can only run as an independent in a single constituency, but to be elected he would have to reach the 3% nationwide electoral threshold on his own.
There is already a significant legal precedent. In 2023, the Supreme Court’s A1 Section barred the “National Party – Greeks” and later the “Greeks for the Homeland and Freedom” coalition, ruling that Kasidiaris remained the actual leader despite other individuals formally holding leadership positions. In 2024, it also barred the “Spartans” from the European elections, while in 2025 the Supreme Special Court annulled the election of three of the party’s MPs.
However, he formally retains the option of running as an independent candidate in a single constituency. Election through this route would be extremely difficult, as an individual candidate must also secure 3% of the nationwide vote to participate in the allocation of seats.
Meanwhile, his lawyer, Vaso Pantazi, said she is seeking an appropriate legal and political formula to overcome the institutional restrictions.
Source: To Vima [1], [2], ΕRΤnews
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