Galery

1

The Greek cabinet is discussing the adoption of a law that would limit protests with less than 200 participants. As stated by Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection Nikos Dendias, the measure aims to protect the economic and social life of the Greek cities.

According to him, the measure will apply in cities with a population of over 100,000 people and it will be valid throughout the year, not just during the tourist season. The Minister adds that the restrictions will be in favour of the protesters themselves, because, as he states, "It is impossible for scanty protests to block cities with five million people and to cause dissatisfaction among the majority of citizens."

"We respect the right to protest but also the right of citizens to live, move and be able to carry out their business activities. The discussion will continue until a logical solution is found. However, the initiative of taking legal measures depends entirely on the government," adds Minister Dendias.

The management body of the association of merchants in Athens welcomes the initiative of the Ministry. Its communication states that the merchants were the first to have appealed for such actions as early as 2001. They point out that they respect the right to protest but they also protect the rights of other citizens to move and work freely. "In connection with our position, we present once again our concrete proposals:

- The competent authorities shall inform the public in a timely manner and in details as to the place, time and duration of each protest.

- Effective patrolling should be ensured of the processions and protests, and of their participants.

- A measure should be provided that will cancel or disperse the protest when the procession does not follow the previously announced route.

- Secession of urban areas should be permitted only in the event of protests organized by major trade unions, political parties or organizations, which are active throughout the country.

- Scanty protests and processions with less than 500 participants should be provided only with one lane."

The reaction of the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Konstantinos Michalos is positive too. He states that business supports the initiative of Minister Nikos Dendias and hopes that it will be completed successfully.

Other meetings of the Ministry with the association of merchants and with the Chamber of Commerce will be held as well. According to sources, yesterday's meeting with the leaders of the major trade unions of public and private sector workers, GSEE and ADEDY, topk place in good spirit, although no agreement was reached. They argue that the Minister intends to sign the Presidential decree, which has already been drawn up after the second round of meetings with the representatives of merchants and trade unionists.

During yesterday's consultations with them, he presented data showing that 796 protests were held in the centre of Athens in 2012, i.e. more than two protests a day on average, with less than 200 participants.

The main measure stipulated in the decree is to not allow processions involving less than 200 people to block all lanes of the central streets. The legal text contains 15 criteria, which will determine whether the protesters will be allowed to block central road axes in Athens or not. The decision will be based on the economic activity of the region and on the frequency of protests in specific streets and avenues.

The main opposition party, the radical left SYRIZA, reacted strongly to the possibility of introducing restrictions. The radical leftists raised the slogan "No restriction on the right to protest" and accused the government of "applying a methodical plan for the elimination of all fundamental political freedoms."

"Instead of stopping the avalanche of measures that are destroying society and provoking the citizens’ reaction, the government of the memorandum is trying to stifle free expression. Restricting the right to protest is the next step towards undemocratic order in the country. Only authoritarian regimes seek to eliminate the main political rights," reads the statement of SYRIZA.

"With its announcement, SYRIZA proves the purpose of the main figures in the party: to destroy the economy and social cohesion. They use everything to derive party benefits, regardless of the price."

The Communist Party reacted similarly and accused the government of launching a ban on protests.