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In this latest IMI Working Paper, MSc in Migration Studies graduate Roxani Roushas examines the recent political breakthrough of extreme right group the Golden Dawn in Greece.

In the Greek national election held in June 2012, the right-wing extremist party known as Golden Dawn (Chrysi Avgi) gained 6.92% of the vote, and entered the Hellenic Parliament for the first time with 18 seats. An opinion poll in May 2013 showed support for Golden Dawn has continued to increase to 11.5%, marking a remarkable political success.

In this paper, author Roxani Roushas aims to develop an explanation of the electoral breakthrough of what is one of the most racist and extreme right institutionalised elements in Europe. Roxhani presents four factors she argues are crucial to understanding Golden Dawn’s success – unemployment, immigration, conceptions of citizenship, and the political space.

This working paper has been developed from Roxani's Masters Dissertation. Students in the MSc in Migration Studies receiving a distinction for their thesis are invited to publish a modified version as an IMI and COMPAS joint working paper.