Greece: protests in Athens over pension reforms
(VOVworld) - Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Athens on Saturday in solidarity with farmers who have blocked dozens of highways and border crossings in recent weeks in protest over a pensions overhaul. An estimated 12,000 people gathered in the Greek capital's central Syntagma Square outside Parliament. More than half were members of the communist-leaning Pame trade union, offering support for the huge wave of farmers who arrived in Athens from the countryside Friday to protest against the reforms.
Farmers are seen on a tractor during a protest against planned pension reforms in front of the Parliament building in Athens, Greece. – Reuters pic, February 13, 2016.
|
On Friday evening, around 10,000 protesters waving black flags, including thousands of farmers, marched through Athens, in protest of pension reforms.
On Saturday, protesters clashed with police in front of the agriculture ministry and on a motorway outside the city. The farmers are angry about government plans to increase their social security contributions as part of pension reforms demanded by Greece's creditors in exchange for a third massive bailout agreed last year.