Kasidiaris supporters flood social media
Ilias Kasidiaris, a former leading figure of the Golden Dawn party, has drawn a surge of support on social media following his release from prison after more than seven years behind bars.
Kasidiaris was convicted in 2020 of directing a criminal organization in a landmark case against Golden Dawn. During his imprisonment, associates continued to manage his social media accounts and maintain contact with his supporters.
Recent posts promoting Kasidiaris include AI-generated images, a song celebrating his release and TikTok videos featuring messages such as “Kasidiaris for prime minister.” Some posts use music associated with far-right movements in Europe.
Social media campaign expands
Researchers cited by Kathimerini have raised questions about the scale and nature of the online activity surrounding Kasidiaris.
Giorgos Samaras of King’s College London said Kasidiaris had developed what he described as a “personal myth” online, with supporters presenting him as an authentic representative of the far right.
Kostas Panagopoulos of Northeastern University said online political campaigns can combine genuine supporters with automated accounts, making it difficult to determine how much activity is organic.
Kasidiaris signals political return
Kasidiaris has indicated that he intends to return to political activity following his release.
His online presence remained active during his imprisonment, allowing him to retain contact with supporters and continue promoting his political views.
A prominent US-based MAGA supporter has also publicly expressed support for Kasidiaris, describing him as an ideological successor to Golden Dawn. The comments reflect individual political support and do not represent the US government.
Electoral impact remains uncertain
Political scientist Vasiliki Georgiadou of Panteion University has expressed skepticism about whether Kasidiaris’ renewed online visibility will translate into significant electoral support.
His political future will also depend on Greece’s electoral rules and decisions by the courts and electoral authorities.
The latest social media activity demonstrates that Kasidiaris retains an organized online following, but the size of that following and its potential electoral impact remain uncertain.
Source:Kathimerini
