Greece bombing: far-left attack kills MP's mother, sparking language row

Far-left attack in Greece: the death of an MP's mother sparks a controversy

Political violence in Greece has escalated to a level few expected. An attack targeting members of the Hellenic Parliament has claimed the life of the mother of one of them. According to initial reports, the perpetrators belong to far-left groups, although responsibility has not been officially claimed.

The controversy, however, does not only revolve around the events themselves. The Spanish newspaper El Español used the term 'escrache' (a word usually applied to peaceful protest stunts outside politicians' homes) to describe the attack. The comparison has triggered an intense debate about language and the downplaying of violence. While some argue that calling a bomb attack an 'escrache' is a dangerous euphemism, others believe the label conceals a political agenda.

The discussion quickly spread to Spain, where parallels were drawn with ETA and with the Greek far-right party Golden Dawn, banned in 2020. The local context served as fuel for an even more polarised debate, between those who see an escalation by the far left and those who point to an attempt to divert attention from Sánchez's government.

With no independent investigation yet to shed light on the perpetrators and the circumstances, one thing is clear: the attack marks a turning point in the security of political representatives in Greece. The label used to describe it is not innocent; it will define how the event is perceived by international public opinion. We shall see whether the official narrative prevails or whether the controversy over language ends up swallowing the attack itself.