On the horizon from this year and onward, we can discern a period of challenges and wagers in both the domestic and foreign policy of our country.

The major new issues will require strong leadership and mature politicians.

The Parliament that will result from the forthcoming general election must demonstrate the requisite determination and consensus.

Within the parameters of parliamentarism, political parties will have to shape their own proposals, deal with disagreements, and contribute to a level of debate befitting a Western state with a seasoned political culture that is grounded in democracy.

From that perspective, it is inconceivable for the newly elected Parliament to include far right groups and criminal gangs [spinoffs of the outlawed, as a criminal organisation, neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party for example] that don the cloak of a political party and use politics as a vehicle to poison institutions and any sense of normalcy.

Our country had too bitter an experience in the previous turbulent period [when Golden Dawn was in Parliament] for Parliament to include representatives of criminal groups that have been proven to have had involvement, complicity, or a leading role in felonies for which they were convicted in court and condemned by the Greek people.

Now, we can take a step forward. We have the institutional grounding and the collective will, as is evidenced by the positive intention of the government, to exclude a priori from running in the elections parties that have a far right constitution and roots [such as that being organised by former top Golden Dawn MP Elias Kasdiaris, photo].

Certainly, this requires the greatest possible consensus among parties in the democratic part of the political spectrum, and we are certain that it will be offered.

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