Greek top court voids election of three far-right MPs over voter deception
Greece’s Special Highest Court has annulled the election of three lawmakers from the far-right Spartans party, including its leader Vasilis Stigas, following a landmark ruling on Tuesday that found the candidates misled voters.
The court concluded that electoral fraud occurred during the 2023 national elections, with the Spartans' true leadership concealed. Despite Stigas being the official party head, the court identified the actual figure behind the party as Ilias Kasidiaris—a jailed former deputy and a leading member of the now-defunct neo-Nazi Golden Dawn.
Also losing their parliamentary seats are MPs Petros Dimitriadis and Alexandros Zerveas.
In its decision, the court stated, “The case of the deception of voters by the electoral ticket of a political party with a hidden leader concerns the entire country.”
This ruling sets a constitutional precedent, marking the first time the Greek Parliament will function with 297 members instead of the standard 300. Due to the nature of the violation, the empty seats will not be redistributed to other parties or second-place candidates.
The case was brought forward by three citizens who contested the MPs’ elections. Notably, a separate criminal case in May had acquitted 11 Spartans members of similar allegations, citing insufficient evidence.
The Special Highest Court, which convenes only for select constitutional and electoral matters, holds the authority to validate or cancel parliamentary elections and decisions concerning MPs.
