Greece will not allow neo-Nazis to 'undermine' democracy: PM

ATHENS - Agence France-Presse

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. AP Photo

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Thursday said he would not allow neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn to "undermine" democracy after one of its alleged supporters fatally stabbed a popular anti-fascist musician.
 
"This government is determined not to allow the descendants of the Nazis to poison our social life, to commit crimes, terrorise and undermine the foundations of the country that gave birth to democracy," Samaras said in a televised address.
 
The prime minister was speaking a day after street protests in Athens and other cities over the murder of 34-year-old hip hop artist Pavlos Fyssas turned violent, with demonstrators clashing with police.
 
Fyssas, who was buried on Thursday, was fatally stabbed in the working-class Athens district of Keratsini early on Wednesday by a 45-year-old truck driver who later allegedly confessed his Golden Dawn affiliation to police.
 
Samaras did not announce any specific measures to curb the rise of Golden Dawn, which has capitalised on austerity anger towards the country's mainstream parties to massively boost its ratings.
 
But he warned that the country could only emerge from a six-year recession and a deep economic crisis if it stayed united.
 
"The descent into violence destroys any prospect for Greece to achieve... development, peace and prosperity," the PM said.
 
"This is no time for internal strife or tension," he said.