From behind bars, Greek far-right populist propels ultra-nationalists

Far-right Golden Dawn lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris, who is in custody pending trial, attends the Athens council swearing-in ceremony August 29, 2014. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/File photo

ATHENS (Reuters) - With backing from a politician jailed for leading a party declared a criminal gang, Greek far-right groups swept up over 12% of the vote in Sunday's election, mirroring the rise of populist and ultra-nationalist politicians across Europe.

The surge of three parties with their ultra-nationalist views - including 'Spartans' which barely registered in polls until Ilias Kasidiaris from the banned Golden Dawn party endorsed it from his prison cell -- could swing public debate at home and prove a springboard in European elections.