The government is placing the issue of security and political violence high on the agenda, prompted by the murder of Vagia Nestora in Thessaloniki, and is attempting to highlight the fight against lawlessness as a central political issue.In this light, the “law and order” doctrine is returning to the forefront; it has long been a cornerstone of the Maximos Mansion’s policy and is endorsed by the vast majority of citizens from whom it seeks votes in elections.
The priority in this specific case is the swift resolution of the case and the arrest of all those involved, including both the physical and mastermind perpetrators. Government officials believe that the effectiveness of the Greek Police in this particular case will serve as a decisive test of the credibility of the strategy pursued in recent years to combat violence and terrorism.
In his Sunday post, Kyriakos Mitsotakis sought to send the message that the government’s commitment to confronting lawlessness will not waver, arguing that the policy implemented since 2019 has provoked reactions from those seeking to destabilize the country. The Maximos Mansion views this murderous attack as a direct challenge to democratic order and has made it clear that those responsible will be tracked down, citing the dismantling of the “November 17” group and the dissolution of Golden Dawn.
Divisive rhetoric
At the same time, the prime minister sought to link the incident to the overall political climate, arguing that toxicity and extreme divisive rhetoric can act as factors that foster violence. In this way, the government is seeking to open a broader political discussion about the limits of public debate and the political system’s responsibility for creating an environment that leaves no room for tolerance of extreme practices, effectively calling on all parties to assume their responsibilities toward the citizens.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis took a similar stance, stating that a full investigation of the case by law enforcement authorities was a top priority, so that the justice system could proceed on the basis of comprehensive evidence. At the same time, he argued that the murder cannot be examined in isolation from a series of attacks and incidents of political violence in recent years, noting that such acts were often treated leniently or downplayed in public discourse.
The government insists that addressing political violence cannot be limited to condemning only the most extreme incidents, but requires a clear rejection of all forms of lawlessness, from attacks on political figures and journalists to occupations and acts of violence on university campuses. In this context, they are once again calling for a unified stance on the enforcement of the law, without ideological exceptions or distinctions. This, of course, is something they are certain will not be accepted by most—if not all—opposition parties.