Hundreds of Greek university students held a demonstration in front of the Greek parliament, with dozens planning to spend the night at the location. The protest aims to contest the high cost of living and elevated rental prices.
In Athens, in front of the parliament, there was a large banner that read: 'From Greece to France, we fight for free public education.' The demonstration was attended by approximately twenty student associations from the capital, which will join the 24-hour strike called by the main primary school teachers' union, the DOE, on Wednesday.
Kleidio Mani, a student at the Polytechnic University of Athens, told the portal Newsit that students cannot afford the cost of studies, being forced to work while studying to cover rents of 500 and 600 euros, and that the state does not provide even the minimum necessary.
The students' demands include adequate housing for all university students, with a special focus on those who need to move to other cities and whose families have low income. They also demand an increase in student subsidies for children of vulnerable families and more places in public university residences, as well as a reduction in electricity and gas prices.
Jaris Dukas, president of the Athens City Council and a social democrat, expressed his support for both students and teachers, but warned against any form of violent protest.
For their part, teachers are demanding a 20% salary adjustment and cost-of-living allowances for those assigned to other cities, especially in tourist areas where prices are very high. The DOE call highlighted that almost half of the teachers are forced to live on salaries below 1,000 euros.
In light of violent protests that occurred in France and other countries, Greek police mobilized riot squad agents and set up checkpoints at strategic points in the capital, according to a police spokesperson informed to the local broadcaster Skai.