Woman Killed in Rare Political Violence in Thessaloniki, Greece

On July 2, 2026, Thessaloniki, Greece, experienced an unusual day of political violence when three improvised explosive devices detonated near the homes of ruling party members. The attacks targeted members of the conservative New Democracy party in the northern city between 4:00 and 4:45 a.m. Two explosions caused no injuries, but the third, which ignited vehicles, resulted in multiple casualties. Among the injured was Afroditi Nastoura, a parliamentary candidate for New Democracy, who suffered minor burns. Tragically, her mother, severely burned in the blast, later died from her injuries. Nastoura's father was hospitalized with respiratory issues, and two other residents were treated and released.

Police reported that the bomb that hit Nastoura's family was placed under a car, causing a fire that injured family members when they came outside. The other two devices were found at entrances to residential buildings linked to former MP Sabas Anastasiadis and Zisis Ioakimovits, head of a local party committee. Nastoura condemned the attack on social media as an "inhumane and arbitrary terror attack" that deeply affected her family.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who also leads New Democracy, visited the injured in hospital and strongly condemned the bombings as a "cowardly and murderous terror attack." He described the violence as "blind aggression in public life" and vowed that "the rule of law and social unity must push terror to the margins." Mitsotakis emphasized Greece's economic recovery and internal cohesion, stating the country would "never go backward."

Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis warned of a possible resurgence of domestic terrorism, referencing the left-wing armed group 17 November, whose leader was recently re-imprisoned. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but authorities noted similar devices have been used in the past by anarchist or far-left militant groups in low-intensity attacks meant to send political messages.

The bombings occurred amid escalating political tensions ahead of general elections expected by next year, with speculation that Mitsotakis might call early polls. The violent incidents mark a rare escalation of political violence in Greece, a country that has largely avoided such attacks in recent years.