Trade unions, public sector workers and student organisations in Greece on Wednesday staged a nationwide strike and demonstrations to protest rising living costs and demand increased investment in public education.
The protests drew particular attention in Athens, where about 3,000 police officers were expected to be deployed to prevent disturbances similar to those recorded in other European cities, according to media reports.
School and university students set up tents in Syntagma Square, outside the Greek parliament, as part of their demonstrations over the rising cost of education and accommodation.
The students are demanding lower rents, increased housing subsidies, more student accommodation and the recruitment of additional teaching staff.
Public sector employees also joined the industrial action following a call by the ADEDY trade union confederation.
The union said the strike was intended to express solidarity with students protesting conditions in the education sector and enable workers, including parents, to participate in rallies and demonstrations.
The action comes amid growing public discontent over the cost of living in several European countries.
France, the eurozone’s second-largest economy, witnessed some of its most significant rioting in recent years on Saturday, as demonstrators took to the streets over rising living costs.
Other European cities have also experienced protests over rising prices, with smaller clashes reported in Milan, Italy’s financial centre, and parts of Belgium over the weekend.
The demonstrations highlight mounting concerns about household expenses, housing affordability and public services across parts of Europe. (dpa/NAN)
