More than 10,000 students, pupils, teachers, and employees protested in the streets of the Greek capital Athens and other Greek cities on Wednesday, against the high cost of living and shortage of teaching staff.
Agence France-Presse quoted a police spokesperson in press statements as saying: "About five thousand people gathered at midday in the Greek capital, while another three thousand gathered in Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city."
Demands for education and infrastructure
Secondary school students and teachers are protesting against the lack of infrastructure and staff, demanding increased public spending on the education sector. According to the Secondary School Teachers Union, the shortage of schools amounts to 15,000 teachers.
According to the European statistical office Eurostat, Greece allocated 3.3% of its gross domestic product to education in 2023, compared to an average of 4.7% in the European Union.
Rising inflation and economic situation
In September, Greece's inflation rate was among the highest in the eurozone, recording 5.1% year-on-year, compared to an average of 3.8% in the region, according to Eurostat.
The Greek protests come days after demonstrations began in several European cities, including France, Spain, Albania, Italy, and Belgium, due to rising living costs and declining ability to bear housing and education expenses.
Widespread European protests
Alongside political and social demands that vary from country to country, some demonstrations turned into clashes with security forces and acts of vandalism and looting.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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