TV assault sparks uproar in Greece

Greece’s election campaign turned ugly on Thursday, after a far-right MP threw a glass of water and repeatedly hit a left-wing opponent during a live TV debate.

Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Golden Dawn spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris, ten days before voters head back to the ballot box.

Kasidiaris is said to have been locked in a room after the outburst, but broke down a door and escaped.

Communist politician Liana Kanelli was on the receiving end of the three slaps.

Kasidiaris is a “beast” she told reporters. “I hope his mother is proud of him.”

The Golden Dawn party alarmed Europe when it won 21 seats in last month’s inconclusive parliamentary elections. It has been accused of violent attacks against immigrants in Athens.

There has been widespread condemnation of what happened during the TV debate, coming at a time when debt-ridden Greece is trying to avoid a catastrophic exit from the euro currency.

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