---
title: "Rise of Greek nationalist ‘Golden Dawn’ party coincides with Greece’s economic crisis"
description: "The Greek government is preparing to try several lawmakers representing the Golden Dawn, a nationalist and anti-immigrant party that the government describes as “neo-Nazi.” The upcoming trial is related to the fatal stabbing of an anti-fascist rap musician on Sept. 18, by a Golden Dawn sympathizer. Golden Dawn,  a far right wing party whose motto […]"
date: "2013-10-02"
authors:
  - name: "Katerina Eva Matsa"
    job_title: "Director, News and Information Research"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/katerina-eva-matsa/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2013/10/02/rise-of-greek-nationalist-golden-dawn-party-coincides-with-greeces-economic-crisis/"
categories:
  - "International Political Values"
---

# Rise of Greek nationalist ‘Golden Dawn’ party coincides with Greece’s economic crisis

The Greek government is preparing to try several lawmakers representing the Golden Dawn, a nationalist and anti-immigrant party that the government describes as “neo-Nazi.” The upcoming trial is related to the fatal stabbing of an anti-fascist rap musician on Sept. 18, by a Golden Dawn sympathizer.

Golden Dawn, a far right wing party whose motto is “Greece belongs to Greeks,” has gained popularity at a time when the nation has been struggling with high unemployment as a result of the financial crisis and strict austerity measures imposed by the government. In the June 2012 Greek national elections, Golden Dawn gained 6.9% of the popular vote, [entering the parliament for the first time with 18 seats](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/17/greek-election-results-new-democracy-wins_n_1603971.html).

Since the party gained the seats, the government alleges that the [group has also been involved in attacking and intimidating immigrants](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/30/world/europe/greece-arrests-senior-members-of-far-right-party.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&), whose presence has increased in recent years.

Just last month, although prior to the stabbing, Golden Dawn’s support had risen to 13%, according to an opinion [poll](http://www.publicissue.gr/en/1818/varometro-sep-2013/) conducted by Greek company [Public Issue](http://www.publicissue.gr/en/).

But it’s unclear how much the public support for Golden Dawn is really about their political agenda. About three-in-ten (29%) of the party’s voters said they voted for the party as a form of “protest,” although 27% for its stance on immigration and borders, [according to Yannis Mavris, pollster and director at Public Issue](http://www.mavris.gr/en/298/snapshot-of-golden-dawn/print/). Another 14% mentioned the party’s program as the reason for their vote and 13% cited national issues or patriotism as a criterion for their choice.

In August 2013, the unemployment rate in Greece reached nearly 28%, more than double the E.U. average, according to data from [Eurostat](http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-01102013-AP/EN/3-01102013-AP-EN.PDF). Unemployment among young people under 25 years old skyrocketed to 62% in June 2013.

[![FT_greece-economy-views](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2013/10/FT_greece-economy-views.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2013/05/13/chapter-1-dispirited-over-national-conditions/)

The prolonged economic crisis, which partly explains the rise of the Golden Dawn, has had a profound effect on Greek public opinion. In a March Pew Research Center [survey](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2013/05/13/chapter-1-dispirited-over-national-conditions/), 99% of Greeks said the economy was in a bad shape, the highest percent among the 39 nations included in the poll. Moreover, 99% of Greeks said that unemployment is a very big problem and 94% were concerned about rising prices.

At the same time, the Greek public does not expect the economic situation in their country to improve. A majority of the Greeks (64%) were pessimistic about the economy’s future in the next year and 54% believed their personal situation will be worse in the next 12 months.