[Giant]

I'm sure most of you are aware of the economic turmoil that Greece is in right now, and the very real possibility of it leaving the Euro to reestablish a devalued Drachma (but the ethics of that is for another discussion.)

What we are now seeing, is a rise of the extreme parties - namely the far right, "Golden Dawn" party. The Golden Dawn party has won a sizeable amount of votes and seats in the last election, and with Greece in turmoil, are starting to have an increase in political power.

Now, recently, a Golden Dawn MP assaulted a left-wing MP on national television. Glasses were thrown and slaps and punches were involved, with the left-wing MP claiming to have his face "boxed in".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18352258

If the leaders of these parties are this type of thuggish characters and are starting to have increasing influence in Greek politics, I fear for the country and for Europe.

My question to you is, do you think that this type of right wing party will continue to have increasing support in Greece or even take control of the country? Or do you think that Greece can hold on, both to the Euro and to moderate democracy?

I am hoping for the latter of course, but you can never tell. I think a pivotal moment in the future of Greece (and Europe) will be if they can manage to hold onto the Euro. But that's just my opinion, I would love to hear yours.

[Catch21*]

Judging the golden dawn by one thug is ignorant. It's most likely propaganda purposes bein used against the dawn.

It's almost officially a crime to be a patriot in Europe nowadays. Multiculturalism was forced on them, not the other way around.

[Giant]

(Original post by Catch21*)
Judging the golden dawn by one thug is ignorant. It's most likely propaganda purposes bein used against the dawn.

It's almost officially a crime to be a patriot in Europe nowadays. Multiculturalism was forced on them, not the other way around.

Perhaps, but it doesn't take away from the fact an elected MP assaulted someone, let alone on national television.

I do sympathise with Europeans who have been on the receiving end of excessive immigration that has been widespread throughout Europe and the rise of political correctness, but I don't believe multiculturalism is a bad thing - we have lots to learn from different cultures.

The line between "patriotic" and "xenophobic" is very thin.

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Giant)
I'm sure most of you are aware of the economic turmoil that Greece is in right now, and the very real possibility of it leaving the Euro to reestablish a devalued Drachma (but the ethics of that is for another discussion.)

What we are now seeing, is a rise of the extreme parties - namely the far right, "Golden Dawn" party. The Golden Dawn party has won a sizeable amount of votes and seats in the last election, and with Greece in turmoil, are starting to have an increase in political power.

Now, recently, a Golden Dawn MP assaulted a left-wing MP on national television. Glasses were thrown and slaps and punches were involved, with the left-wing MP claiming to have his face "boxed in".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18352258

If the leaders of these parties are this type of thuggish characters and are starting to have increasing influence in Greek politics, I fear for the country and for Europe.

My question to you is, do you think that this type of right wing party will continue to have increasing support in Greece or even take control of the country? Or do you think that Greece can hold on, both to the Euro and to moderate democracy?

I am hoping for the latter of course, but you can never tell. I think a pivotal moment in the future of Greece (and Europe) will be if they can manage to hold onto the Euro. But that's just my opinion, I would love to hear yours.

glass of water not an actual glass

[Giant]

(Original post by cl_steele)
glass of water not an actual glass

Haha, my mistake.

But seriously, what do you think lies in store for Greece?

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Giant)
Haha, my mistake.

But seriously, what do you think lies in store for Greece?

i think either way Greece is completely ****ed, if they stay in the euro the changes needed to be made to make it economically viable again will probably cause something akin to a revolution, if they leave theyll be bankrupt within a couple of months and have absolutly no way of getting any loans from anyone ...
that being said they do have the EU bent over a barrell, theyve lent them hundreds of billions of euros and to keep greece in the euro [which is in the eus interest] theyre going to continue funnelling money to them to keep them afloat ... i must say greece is in a very interesting position and its impossible to say what'll happen but rest assured its doubtful itll be good. Germany in 1930 all over again

[Giant]

(Original post by cl_steele)
i think either way Greece is completely ****ed, if they stay in the euro the changes needed to be made to make it economically viable again will probably cause something akin to a revolution, if they leave theyll be bankrupt within a couple of months and have absolutly no way of getting any loans from anyone ...
that being said they do have the EU bent over a barrell, theyve lent them hundreds of billions of euros and to keep greece in the euro [which is in the eus interest] theyre going to continue funnelling money to them to keep them afloat ... i must say greece is in a very interesting position and its impossible to say what'll happen but rest assured its doubtful itll be good. Germany in 1930 all over again

Exactly what i was thinking (in regards to the 1930 Germany)

The dawn of WW3 perhaps? I doubt it, because to start a war you need money.

Either way, the next few weeks/months will be very interesting.

[Leon Trotsky]

It's hard to blame them for voting for extremists. When the mainstream parties fail you so badly, where else do you turn?

[Giant]

Serious lessons need to be learnt if this ever resolves, corruption and over-spending is a serious issue; especially together.

[pinda.college]

Hopefully the Greek people aren't naive enough to put their country in the hands of racist thugs.

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Giant)
Exactly what i was thinking (in regards to the 1930 Germany)

The dawn of WW3 perhaps? I doubt it, because to start a war you need money.

Either way, the next few weeks/months will be very interesting.

aye, id quite like to see greece start any kind of war though
mmm im hoping for a swift exit from the euro personally, cheap and cheerful holidays to Kos

[sclez1]

I don't know enough about it all to comment. However, I did see that assault on the news today - absolutely ridiculous! I can't believe that actually happens, surely that will completely undermine their credibility? These far-right groups all try to appear sensible but this guy must have ruined all chances of that?

[Giant]

(Original post by cl_steele)
aye, id quite like to see greece start any kind of war though
mmm im hoping for a swift exit from the euro personally, cheap and cheerful holidays to Kos

Ahaha! I was having that same morbid curiosity just this morning. What would happen if Greek tried to start a war? What would happen if Greece ran out of money and assets? Would Germany buy them off?

[gintoki]

About this incident I just have to say that this is also what women fight for, EQUALITY.

Also, I think the two women that made part of the incident insulted him before he had that action. Not saying that what he did was the right thing however.

About the Euro zone problems I truly think that America is trying hard to bring the Euro (currency) down using it's Rating Agencies.

Finally, for more information about the crisis, what the documentary "Wake up Call".

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Giant)
Ahaha! I was having that same morbid curiosity just this morning. What would happen if Greek tried to start a war? What would happen if Greece ran out of money and assets? Would Germany buy them off?

actually now i think about it theyd probably win, the other side would break down laughing
i do remember seeing a humerous comparison to this situation and ww2 and the current german invasion with the greeks surrendering in droves to the advancing columns of german money
although i am curious about something ... if a normal person goes bankrupt the creditors send in the debt collectors right? i wonder if they could do this to greece, i can just picture the germans walking off with the parthenon and sticking it next to the brandenburg gate

[Giant]

(Original post by cl_steele)
actually now i think about it theyd probably win, the other side would break down laughing
i do remember seeing a humerous comparison to this situation and ww2 and the current german invasion with the greeks surrendering in droves to the advancing columns of german money
although i am curious about something ... if a normal person goes bankrupt the creditors send in the debt collectors right? i wonder if they could do this to greece, i can just picture the germans walking off with the parthenon and sticking it next to the brandenburg gate

Haha! This made me crack up! I would rep you if I could today, I must remember to do so tomorrow,

But yeh, I do agree, the whole situation is bordering on stupidity, I mean the possibilities and extent of downfall are endless, and nothing (not even a German takeover) can be ruled out :P

It's a bit like how banks take your house if you can't afford your mortgage.

[anarchism101]

(Original post by Catch21*)
Judging the golden dawn by one thug is ignorant. It's most likely propaganda purposes bein used against the dawn.

There's a considerable difference between 'one thug' and a presumably high-ranking party MP who has been selected by the party to be a spokesperson for them.

[anarchism101]

Apart from being foul generally, Golden Dawn have got to be one of the most ridiculous parties in existence. Greece's problems are coming from the rich and the EU. Even Golden Dawn know this, but they've decided that the solution to this is therefore to attack poor non-European immigrants, in otherwords just about the least relevant people possible.

[MagicNMedicine]

Is this going to be like France?

A couple of months ago we were hearing lots about how Sarkozy's days were numbered because the French were rejecting multiculturalism and immigration and the far right was on the march. Then they elected a Socialist President, Francoise Holland....

If the far right are on the march in Greece fair enough but are they actually going to achieve anything or will we hear after a few weeks how a "far leftist" has been elected?

Im also still waiting for the much vaunted rise of the BNP in the UK because we've got the likes of Caroline Lucas and George Galloway being voted in to Parliament and I've not seen one far right winger get close to winning a seat yet

[Giant]

(Original post by MagicNMedicine)
Is this going to be like France?

A couple of months ago we were hearing lots about how Sarkozy's days were numbered because the French were rejecting multiculturalism and immigration and the far right was on the march. Then they elected a Socialist President, Francoise Holland....

If the far right are on the march in Greece fair enough but are they actually going to achieve anything or will we hear after a few weeks how a "far leftist" has been elected?

Im also still waiting for the much vaunted rise of the BNP in the UK because we've got the likes of Caroline Lucas and George Galloway being voted in to Parliament and I've not seen one far right winger get close to winning a seat yet

I think there is a strong correlation between Economic health and support for extremism. Whilst France was in a deep mire, it's people weren't scavenging the street bins for waste food to eat or giving their children away because they're too poor to support them.

I feel sorry for the Greeks, their corrupt politicians have decimated their country and their pride.