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Victoria Mindova

The movement of the discontented has been living on Syntagma Square in front of the parliament almost two months, protesting against the government economic policies. The protesters’ face has changed since the beginning of the protest. The square now looks more like a camping in the heart of the city than like a central square in a European capital. The difference is the absence of the charming sea and the breeze and the sand, despite the presence of chemical toilets and private lounges.

However, many tourists in Athens find the "holiday makers" on the square almost as attractive as the walk to the Acropolis. Protest posters, cartoons with Greek politicians and the half-naked discontented in the greenery in front of the parliament are magnificent for the guests of the city. Very often, you can see foreigners with expensive cameras and tourist maps in the pocket making pictures of the new phenomenon, while wandering downtown.

At the same time, government officials, the town hall, traders and the hotelkeepers raised their voice against the permanent crowding which despite the peaceful protests is a kind of obstacle to their business. Due to the tense atmosphere in the Greek capital, representatives of trade and tourist unions avoid talking directly about the problems of constantly striking Athens and its citizens. However, in an informal atmosphere, they are complaining of the wave of protests that has a negative effect on their business.

Justice Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou was the first to set the tone for the song and said that this picture in the heart of Athens resembles more a third world country than a European capital and a tourist centre. "A peaceful demonstration is one and the camp on Syntagma that is killing the city is quite different." After the justice minister said his heavy word, he threw the ball to the Athens mayor and urged him to clear the area in front of the parliament. "I would like Mr. Kaminis and everyone else who can tackle this issue. I am not saying that there should be no such a movement, but this could not be the face of the country in the world."

It is easy to say it but it is difficult to make it, say Greek journalists who are sure that if there is a “brooming" action it will lead to serious clashes with police and tear gas will cover Syntagma again. Currently, over 20 tents are constantly stretched on the square, and the participants in the regular protest explained to GRReporter, that the people in the protest change every few days. Those who do not sleep in the tents stay late at night and other followers of theirs come in the morning. After eight in the evening, traders with mobile carts are selling kebabs and breads and people with freezer bags and small coolers are selling beer for one euro by noon.

The mayor of Athens George Kaminis gathered on Friday evening representatives of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants as well as the President of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels George Tsakiris to discuss the situation on Syntagma, but the meeting proved fruitless. The representatives of the real business declined to give an official statement or opinion on the case and the Athens Mayor supported the peaceful protests and in general said, "We are open for a dialogue with the citizens," without confirming or denying the idea of ​​breaking the camp on Syntagma.