Greek debt crisis
Unions in first big strike against Tsipras
AFP
AFP, ATHENS: Around 20,000 people demonstrated against fresh cuts in Athens yesterday, with sporadic outbreaks of violence, in the first general strike against the leftist government of Alexis Tspiras who swept to power on an anti-austerity ticket.
Tspiras ruling Syriza party took the unusual step of urging mass participation in yesterdays strike, underlining the difficulties of pushing through unpopular cuts accepted in return for more bailout cash.
As the demonstration kicked off, scores of youths began vandalising shops, bus stops and traffic lights, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.
The violence began when around 150 youths attacked police stationed in front of a row of luxury hotels on central Syntagma square, then quickly retreated.
During the unrest, youths also set a car alight with Molotov cocktails.
I am protesting against the government because they are making fools of us. I am a pensioner and I have no idea what my pension will be, said 63-year-old Maria Athanassiadou.
I do not agree with the bailout and with any bailout. I am protesting against those applying bailouts. I have no confidence in the government, said Alexandra Theodoridou, a 43-year-old insurance company employee.
Unions launched the 24-hour walkout against tax hikes and an upcoming pensions overhaul, shutting down public services, boat and train transport and forcing the cancellation of dozens of domestic flights.
Protests were also being held in other major Greek cities such as Thessaloniki.
In July, Greece accepted a three-year, 86-billion-euro ($93-billion) EU bailout that saved it from crashing out of the eurozone, but it came with strict conditions, with Athens poised to push through a raft of unpopular reforms. Hospitals were running on emergency staffing and museums and archaeological sites were closed. Journalists were also participating in the 24-hour walkout.
Every sector must become a fortress of resistance, said Communist party general secretary Dimitris Koutsoubas.
Together we can impose radical changes in the economy and society for the good of our people, he said.
Tsipras decision to accept a bailout conditioned on fresh tax hikes and pay cuts caused a split in his ruling Syriza party over the summer.
While the government has pledged to apply the cuts, Syriza this week called for a mass participation in yesterdays strike, determined to continue the struggle against anti-social, extreme neoliberal policies.
The paradox was quickly picked up on by social media.
Im confused. Are we marching with Alexis to topple Tsipras, or with Tsipras to topple Alexis? said one user.
Tsipras has called the bailout agreement a painful compromise and a tactical retreat that enabled the country to avoid bankruptcy and stay in the euro.
Yesterdays strike came as as senior representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the IMF and the European stability fund were holding a review of reforms pledged in line with the bailout.
Athens has adopted a number of unpopular reforms but is now under creditor pressure to facilitate home loan foreclosures.
The Greek government insists on maintaining a safety net for more vulnerable households.
There is also a rift over Greeces mechanism for dealing with bad loansan important factor in shoring up the countrys beleaguered banks.
However, a senior minister said late on Wednesday that an agreement could be clinched by the end of this week.
I believe we will have closed all the issues by Saturday, Economy Minister George Stathakis said.
Greece must also introduce new pension cuts to keep its shaky retirement system viable.
Officials have hinted that pensions above 1,500 euros ($1,600) will be slashed.
