Thousands protest in Greece over education funding and living costs

Thousands of students, teachers, parents and workers demonstrated across Greece on Wednesday, demanding increased funding for public education and measures to ease rising living and study costs, Anadolu Agency reported, citing public broadcaster ERT.

About 10,000 people joined a march in Athens. An estimated 2,000 to 2,500 demonstrated in Thessaloniki, while more than 3,000 took to the streets in Patras, according to ERT. Rallies were also held in Larissa and other cities.

Protesters called for thousands of vacant teaching posts to be filled, substitute teachers to receive permanent positions, smaller class sizes and safer school buildings.

University students demanded lower rents, increased housing allowances, more places in student dormitories and the repeal of legislation on student expulsions.

Primary school teachers held a 24-hour strike, while secondary school teachers staged a three-hour work stoppage. Public sector workers and other unions also joined the demonstrations.

In Athens, protesters gathered at the Propylaea, marched to Syntagma Square and then returned to their starting point. The main march ended peacefully shortly before 2 pm local time, ERT reported.

Disturbances were reported in the nearby Omonia area, including stone-throwing and damage to electric scooters. Police used stun grenades, and Molotov cocktails were reportedly thrown.

Police detained 21 people during preventive checks in Athens, where more than 3,000 officers were deployed in central areas, including shopping streets, according to ERT.

In Thessaloniki, police took 10 people in for questioning. The march ended without further incidents after some participants lit flares outside the US Consulate.

Students occupied 18 schools in Thessaloniki, bringing the total number of occupied schools across Central Macedonia to 30.

The demonstration in Patras ended peacefully. Participants at the Larissa rally expressed solidarity with protesters in France, with a slogan reading: “From Greece to France, we are fighting for free public education.”