Seizing Opportunities: The Sudden Rise of Golden Dawn in Greece

Abstract

In the elections of May and June 2012 the extreme right party Golden Dawn entered the Greek parliament with 7% of the vote and 21 and 18 seats respectively. This was surprising since in the 30 years of the party’s existence has it never gained more than half a percent. This research investigates the causes of this sudden popularity by exploring the interaction between structure and agency. Important elements are the economic crisis, the political system and the political crisis, immigration, perspectives and attitudes of the voters and the active mobilization and framing by Golden Dawn. Especially the ambiguity of the party’s protective image yet violent activities seems to have been crucial.