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The main opposition SYRIZA party has submitted a motion of no confidence against the government, the reason for it being the police raid at dawn which was to discontinue the occupation of the building of the former state-owned broadcaster ERT in Athens.

In a particularly acute and critical statement on the policy of the government party leader Alexis Tsipras said, "We do not have the right to accept this massive violation of the institutions. Our responsibility is important and of historical significance. Let everyone assume his or her part of it."

"The vote is intended to interrupt the country's course to economic disaster and the undermining of democracy. We are obliged to stop and, with the support of the people, will be able to stop this course and create conditions for a better tomorrow," added Tsipras.

On the part of the government, SYRIZA’s proposal was adopted by Minister of Administrative Reform Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He said that the debate on the no confidence motion would allow the ruling majority to prove that it is strong and firm. "In the coming days all will present our views for the future of the country," the Minister said.

The leadership of the parliament announced that the debate on the no confidence motion will start at 12:00 on Friday and will finish with a roll-call vote on Sunday morning. The debates and the vote naturally take the form of a vote of confidence in the government, the most important issue for which is to be able to obtain the votes of independent deputies. In all cases, 151 deputies must support the no confidence motion in order for it to pass.

At the same time, the dismissed employees of ERT and their supporters are protesting against the police operation this morning. "We will stay here until we go back inside," is the main slogan of the protesters, who are preparing to stay there until late evening.

The protesters began to gather at 4:00 pm. An hour later, the traffic in both directions along Mesogeion Avenue was interrupted. The police presence outside the building is still strong but there are no police buses.

ERT’s dismissed employees have already arranged a studio in the courtyard and are preparing to broadcast news from it. Reporters of the former state television station are interviewing the people who have gathered to support them. There are about 2,000 people in the street there at present, and protests outside ERT3 in Thessaloniki and in the central square in Patras are taking place in parallel.