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Greek elections

VIDEO: Arrest warrant issued after fight on Greek election TV debate

A spokesman for the far-right Golden Dawn party tried to punch one female rival after throwing water at another one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hk2FqoZoOQ

(YouTube credit: )

AN ARREST WARRANT has been issued for the spokesman of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party after he appeared to throw punches at a rival – in the middle of a live televised TV debate.

Ilias Kasidiaris threw his arms at the Communist Party’s Liana Kanelli, moments after throwing water at Rena Dourou of the far-left Syriza party.

The three were among six people – representing six of the country’s seven largest political parties – who were participating in a live TV debate ahead of the country’s second parliamentary election taking place in ten days’ time.

The debate was immediately pulled off air.

Greek English-language newspaper Ekathimerini reported that the brawl emerged after the parties had disputed the presence of oil reserves off Crete, as well as an apparent reference to a case currently before the Greek courts.

It says public prosecutor Eleni Raikou issued instructions for Kasidiaris’s arrest almost immediately after the show ended.

Although MPs enjoy immunity from prosecution while they are sitting members of the parliament, Kasidiaris – who was one of the 21 MPs elected from Golden Dawn last month – does not enjoy immunity because that parliament has already been dissolved, after just one sitting.

Update: Thanks to reader Stella Kountoupi, who has given this translation of the events in the comments field:

The older lady who is a hard left journalist-politician called him a fascist; in turn he called her a f*** communist. The younger lady, who is a politician with the socialists, claimed that if his party (that’s the far right-wing one) became government, the country would go 500 years back in time; he called her a joke, the other woman got up, he threw the glass of water to the young one and – as you all saw – they started kicking each other.

The particular guy will go to court on the 11th June accused for participating in an armed robbery. In the meantime, he is a candidate for the Greek National elections on 17th June.

Welcome to Greek politics! No wonder we went downhill they way we did!

Read: This is what happens to Greece if it leaves the euro

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