Samaras: We will be strict against violence

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras appears determined to tackle the extremes after the arrest of members of the Golden Dawn.

A government source said that "our opposition to violence will be very strict." The Prime Minister has reportedly concluded that when the political discourse of a party reaches the extremes, when the party is placed over the criteria for the country, then there must be a response, but responding reinforces the sense of division.

Samaras believes there is polarization with SYRIZA because there are no common points between the positions of the government and the opposition. He says there can be no agreement with a party advocating that Greece should leave the euro and NATO. He adds, however, that everyone should make effort to heal the wounds.

Speaking to representatives of the Greek community and the Diaspora press in New York, Samaras made extensive reference to the efforts made by the Greek government to face the crisis, attract investment and put the country on the road to recovery in 2014.

His colleagues, however, are more assertive regarding SYRIZA and directly ascribe to Alexis Tsipras the responsibility for creating a polarization climate that has dominated the political scene. An associate of the Prime Minister said: "Tsipras is liable for asking teachers to demonstrate against the government and pushing the students to get into the game of occupations. They attempted to create conditions to overthrow the government because he sees that their margins are being squeezed as the government achieves its targets to pull the country out of this crisis."

Sources say that in the coming days there will be moves to tackle violence, which will not be limited to the area of the Golden Dawn but will touch the extreme left-wing groups as well that occasionally devise plans for extensive episodes.