The Greek Tragedy

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.