The neo-nazi Golden Party has threatened to pull out of parliament if Greece doesn’t stop the crackdown and investigation against it.  This follows a Golden Dawn leader’s arrest for and confession to the cowardly murder of a popular Left-wing musician.

Golden Dawn holds 18 out of Greece’s 300 Parliament seats.  If the fascists quit, they would have to be replaced through special elections in every electoral district they represent, which include most of the country's largest.  If opposition candidates are elected to replace the Golden Dawn, it might collapse Greece’s coalition.

Officials deny the threatened resignations would affect the coalition.  But even if it did, it might be better than harboring violent thugs in government.

Greek prosecutors have already found evidence that Golden Dawn is a criminal organization; labeling it “criminal” is expected to be the first step before an outright ban that would keep it out of government.  The government has said it was instead planning to cut Golden Dawn’s funding.

One party member is accused of leading a gang to murder Pavlos Fyssas in Athens last week, prompting outrage and violent protests in the crisis-struck country.