New Democracy fields controversial candidate ahead of European elections

09:12 16/4/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

In a bold political move, Greece’s ruling conservative party announced that it is leading its lineup of candidates for the upcoming European elections with an ethnic Greek Albanian mayor implicated in election fraud.

Alfred “Fredi” Beleri was arrested in May 2023 and accused of buying votes during a mayoral

election campaign in the southern coastal town of Himara. He won the election but was never sworn in while being held on remand in pre-trial detention. He has denied wrongdoing and Greece has warned that his prosecution and attempts to limit the rights of its ethnic minority in Albania could scupper the neighbouring country’s chances of joining the European Union.

The Beleri bid is seen as a strategic design by the ruling conservative party to garner support from the ethnic Greek community in Albania

But the move raises political eyebrows, acoording to pundits and politicians, considering Mr. Beleri’s contentious legal status and the implications his candidacy holds for his eligibility and campaign.

His nomination was announced with his brother, Leonardo, stepping in at a presentation in central Athens to represent the embattled mayor, currently detained by Albanian authorities.

New Democracy’s party roster also features prominent figures such as current New Democracy MEPs, Greek journalists Giorgos Aftias and Eleonora Meleti, and Olympic gold medalist Pyrros Dimas.

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