Greece halted by strike as anger over rail tragedy mounts
Greece came to a standstill due to a general strike and mass protests. Rail and air connections were cancelled. Riots broke out in Athens, and the police used tear gas and stun grenades.
On Friday, demonstrations of solidarity with the families of the victims of the railway tragedy in Tempi from two years ago, where 57 people died, are taking place in hundreds of cities and smaller towns in Greece and abroad. People are dissatisfied with the government's handling of this significant railway disaster in the country's history.
As a result of the protests, public transport was paralyzed. Many rail and bus connections were suspended, and airports cancelled numerous flights.
Riots in Athens
About 300,000 people gathered in the centre of Athens on Friday. Media footage shows clashes between protesters and the police, who are protecting access to government buildings. Demonstrators are throwing Molotov cocktails and stones.
Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails onto the grounds of the parliament and set fire to a guard booth there. "I have no oxygen," chanted the crowd.
The police cleared the square in front of the parliament of the attackers, but the riots moved to the surrounding streets. Hooded individuals also attacked the police with Molotov cocktails in Thessaloniki.
The protests result from public dissatisfaction with government policies, which many citizens feel do not meet their expectations. The strikers demand changes in economic policy and improvements in working conditions.
"Friday's demonstrations are also an expression of fatigue and dissatisfaction due to rising prices, life's difficulties, and the uncertainties of our times," said Dr. Stella Ladi from Panteion University to PAP.
According to her, recently, in connection with the anniversary of the tragedy, "the voices of the far right have strengthened, and to a lesser extent, the far left, which traditionally has been much stronger in Greece." The protests have been "attached" to a broader questioning of state institutions and their effectiveness. "I think that people who are taking to the streets may not even realize that due to this situation, the voices of the far right have strengthened," added Ladi.
