The financial crisis which has hit Greece since 2010 and the strict
austerity measures that followed have triggered massive protests
throughout the country. The strict measures imposed as part of the
Greece’s bail-out deal with its international lenders, declining living
standards, poverty and high unemployment have also thrown the
political system into turmoil and have led to the rise of far-right Golden
Dawn party. In June 2012 Greek national elections, Golden Dawn
gained 6.9% of the popular vote and entered the Parliament for the
first time. As Greece faces growing pressure to reach agreement with
lenders to avoid financial chaos, an angry Greek public feels the pain of
cuts following a six-year recession, with unemployment more than
double the euro zone average.
