New 24-hour wave of strikes, protests and tensions began in Athens this morning. Thousands of angry citizens joined in the initiative of the Greek Civil Servants Trade Union (ADEDY) and the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) against the introduction of the new pension system and labor law reform. Crowds of people gathered outside the parliament building shouting “You're all thieves”, “We want jobs and equality - power of the working class”, “Neither the IMF nor the European Union will save us – let us, people, take the matters into our own hands” and “All strikers in the fight”.
This time the police has taken extra security measures and observes the movement of protesters from patrolling helicopters. “People do not want you – get on the helicopters and get out,” masses shout angrily.
The traffic in the city center is blocked again. Amalias Boulevard in front of the Parliament on Syntagma Square is flooded with people who yell with indignation against the economic policies of the socialist government of George Papandreou. Lines of special forces surrounded the Parliament building and monitor the protest. The crowds are throwing empty water bottles and garbage against the guarding police officers.
The most dangerous is the situation around the anarchist groups within the protest, which it seems are ready for a new wave of beatings and riots. Tall, slender boys dressed in black with sticks in their hands and face masks walk quietly between unionists and form small groups every ten meters. From time to time individual voices that scream “The struggle requires victims” can be heard among the anarchist groups. This was the slogan, shouted in the day of protest in front of the Athens branch of Marfin Bank on Stadiu Street, where three employees of the bank lost their lives after anarchist attack with Molotov.
Meanwhile, the fate of the new labor law and social policy is decided inside the parliament. Representatives of the opposition right-wing party New Democracy collect petition in the Parliament for the roll-call vote of the new law, which governs the labor relations in the country. Reforms face many opponents not only from the opposition but also from the ruling party. Political analysts in Greece comment that if the changes connected with the increase of the retirement age, reduced salaries and pensions, etc. be adopted, it will be with a very little difference. Acceptance of the changes is crucial for the future of the country as part of the government’s rescue plan of the local economy. This reform has entered into the Memorandum of financial aid for Greece with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund according to which the country will receive financial aid amounting to €110 billion over three years.
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