Holding GD at bay

SYRIZA MP Makis Balaouras, who was chairing the House when far-right deputy Ilias Kasidiaris verbally and then physically attacked New Democracy's Nikos Dendias, had to call security several times. All Golden Dawn deputies were ejected from the House after they had behaved in a nasty manner that reflected their uncensored hatred of democracy. To be sure, there is very little there in terms of culture or upbringing to filter their actions.

That said, safeguarding the fundamental institution that is the Parliament and democracy at large should not be the job of the police.

Rather, it is the duty of all democratic citizens - including those who voted Golden Dawn into Parliament and have long seen the nature of the forces they unleashed.

It is also the duty of all mainstream parties who must leave expedient politicking aside and forge a united front against the...