In the wake of a deadly arson attack in Thessaloniki that killed the mother of New Democracy (ND) MP Aphrodite Nestora, the ruling party has escalated its campaign against far-left violence. The fire—ignited by gas canisters thrown by individuals linked to the anti-authoritarian scene—claimed the life of Nestora’s elderly mother and severely injured three others, including Nestora herself, who was running as a parliamentary candidate.
A Coordinated Crackdown
Police and Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) have identified three young suspects tied to longstanding anarchist networks—including those involved in past occupations at Aristotle University. In response, ND and its youth wing ONNED held a high-profile rally outside Thessaloniki’s Papageorgiou Hospital under the slogan “We Are Not Afraid of You.” A second rally is planned in Athens.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
ND officials, including spokesperson Kyriakos Kyriakakis, have pointed fingers at former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, accusing him of fostering civil-war-like rhetoric and enabling tolerance toward extremist violence during SYRIZA’s time in government. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis and Migration Minister Thanasis Plyris echoed this line, criticizing perceived leniency under the previous administration.
Public anger over the killing—particularly given the victim’s tragic personal story (she had raised her granddaughter after her daughter died at age 37 from a serious illness)—has fueled rising support for ND’s hardline stance. Rolling polls suggest growing public backing for the party’s zero-tolerance message on law and order.
Strategic Messaging: Eyes on Tsipras—and Samaras
ND’s rhetoric serves dual political aims: first, to undermine Tsipras’ rebranding efforts by associating him with impunity for terrorism; second, to outflank former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who is reportedly preparing to launch a new right-wing party. On issues of security and justice, ND is positioning itself further to the right—even more so than Samaras’ earlier governments.
Floridis Follows Dendias’ Playbook
Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Nikos Dendias, who successfully prosecuted Golden Dawn as a criminal organization. Floridis is now compiling cases involving Molotov cocktails and gas-canister attacks, exploring whether they can be consolidated to prosecute far-left groups as a single criminal entity.
Authorities are also sounding the alarm over increased agitation within anti-establishment circles—especially among those disillusioned by recent evictions of squats and university occupations that had operated for over a decade. As a result, dozens of known and unknown figures are now under intensified surveillance.
Election Countdown Has Begun
Though Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis insists general elections won’t be held before 2027, the pre-election phase is already underway. With ND framing itself as the sole bulwark against chaos—and leveraging both tragedy and polarization—the political temperature is rising fast.