LEPEN (political party)

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Popular Greek Patriotic Union - L.E.P.E.N
Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση - Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ.
Leader[1]
Founded2015
Split fromGolden Dawn
IdeologyMetaxism
Greek nationalism
Social conservatism
Anti-immigration
Hard Euroscepticism
Right-wing populism
Identitarianism
Political positionFar-right[2][3]
ReligionGreek Orthodox Church
National affiliationNational Popular Consciousness
European affiliationAlliance for Peace and Freedom
Hellenic Parliament
0 / 300
European Parliament
0 / 21
Website
http://ellinikipatriotikienosi.blogspot.com/

The Popular Greek Patriotic Union (Greek: Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση, romanized: Laiki Elliniki Patriotiki Enosi), known more commonly by its acronym, LEPEN (Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ.), is a nationalist[4] and far-right political party in Greece.

History[]

Founded in 2015 by political activist , it served as a nationalist party that aimed to replicate the success of Golden Dawn. Christos was formerly a member of Golden Dawn however left after conflicts with the direction and public perception of the party. LEPEN seeks to become a moderate replacement for the Golden Dawn, it claims to have no connections with Neo-Nazism and Neo-fascism, party leadership rejects both ideologies.[5]

The party has promoted itself as a party for "pure nationalists",[6] targeting right-wing nationalists as its main voting base. Reportedly, it receives support from members of the former National Political Union, an anti-communist party led by dictator, Georgios Papadopoulos. LEPEN also receives support from members of the right-wing populist, Popular Orthodox Rally, and even its rival Golden Dawn.[6]

The party is commonly referred to by the acronym, LEPEN, party leadership confirmed that this acronym is also a reference to French politician, Jean-Marie Le Pen who they describe as a "great French nationalist - and philhellene - leader".[6]

Ideology[]

The party claims to be based around the traditions and beliefs of the Orthodox church.[1] The party's manifesto asserts that the main objectives are to preserve and promote Greek culture and to "convey the continually unchanging ideas and values of Hellenism and to transform them into the new generations, through the continuation of the ancient Greek civilization adapted to the needs of today, the dissemination of its high cultural destination, the proclamation and promotion of the principles of equality, equality and meritocracy".[1]

The party supports the political beliefs espoused by Spanish falangist, José Antonio Primo de Rivera.[7]

International connections[]

In 2018 LEPEN became a member of the Alliance for Peace and Freedom, a far-right European political party that also includes: New Force, NATION, National Democratic Party of Germany, People's Party - Our Slovakia, Noua Dreaptă, National Democracy, Workers' Party of Social Justice and the United Romania Party.[8]

The party claims to have contacts with the French National Rally and Austrian Freedom Party.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "ΛΑ'Ι'ΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ".
  2. ^ "Are Poland's football ultras really supporting the Women's Strike?".
  3. ^ "Greece's neo-Nazis lost, but the far-right party that won has a dark anti-Semitic past".
  4. ^ "Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση: Οι Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ της Ελλάδος (Ή η Χρυσή Αυγή αλλιώς)". Tvxs.gr. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Μαραγκίδου, Μελπομένη (24 August 2016). "Aυτή Είναι η ΛΕΠΕΝ που Θέλει να Πάρει τη Θέση της Χρυσής Αυγής".
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση: Οι Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ της Ελλάδος (Ή η Χρυσή Αυγή αλλιώς)".
  7. ^ Xr;gs. "ΛΑ'Ι'ΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ: Χοσέ Αντόνιο Πρίμο ντε Ριβέρα - Ιδρυτής της ισπανικής "Φάλαγγας"".CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Xr;gs. "ΛΑ'Ι'ΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ: The Popular Hellenic Patriotic Union (LEPEN) is a member of the European Political Party , Alliance for Peace and Freedom (APF)".CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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