Greeks Protest Education Cuts and Rising Costs

Thousands of students, teachers and public-sector workers marched through central Athens on Wednesday to demand increased education funding, smaller classes, improved facilities and affordable student housing. Aerial footage showed large crowds moving along major streets from the University of Athens towards the Greek Parliament. Some protesters carried banners written in French, signaling solidarity with—and inspiration from—recent student demonstrations in France. Organisers described the march as part of a wider European movement focused on better-funded education, affordable housing and relief from rising living costs. Police, including officers in riot gear carrying shields, accompanied the march and blocked nearby roads. Some shops and cafés closed their shutters as a precaution. The Athens demonstration formed part of a nationwide protest movement, with rallies also taking place in Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa and Crete. Police estimated that around 10,000 people participated in Athens and its suburbs, while organisers put the turnout higher. Some demonstrators had camped overnight outside Parliament. Their demands included rent controls, increased housing support and greater investment in public education. The rally ended peacefully shortly before 2pm. The demonstration underscored mounting pressure on the Greek government to respond to education funding concerns and the financial difficulties confronting students, including the challenge of finding affordable housing amid rising living costs.

Thousands of students, teachers and public-sector workers marched through central Athens on Wednesday, 21 October, calling for increased investment in education and measures to ease the financial pressures facing students. Protesters demanded more education funding, smaller classes, improved facilities and affordable student housing. They filled major streets on a route from the University of Athens toward the Greek Parliament, waving banners, chanting and beating drums. Some banners were written in French, reflecting solidarity with and inspiration from recent student demonstrations in France. Organisers described the march as part of a wider European movement seeking better-funded education, affordable housing and relief from rising living costs. The demonstration was one of several held across Greece, with rallies also reported in Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa and Crete. Some protesters had camped overnight outside Parliament and called for rent controls, more housing support and greater investment in public education. Police, including riot officers carrying shields, accompanied the Athens march and blocked nearby roads. Some shops and cafés closed their shutters as a precaution. Police estimated that around 10,000 people took part in Athens and its suburbs, while organisers claimed the turnout was higher. The rally ended peacefully shortly before 2pm. The report presents the protest as evidence of mounting pressure on the Greek government to address education funding and students’ financial difficulties.

Thousands of students and teachers marched in Athens on Wednesday to demand affordable student housing and greater state investment in education, as protests over the cost of living and public services spread across Europe. Demonstrations also took place in Thessaloniki and Patras. Rising fuel costs, unaffordable housing and frustration with deteriorating schools have helped drive the unrest; demonstrations in France, Italy and Albania have also seen violence. Protesters in Athens carried signs calling for more education funding, including a banner reading, “From Greece to France, give money to education,” and signs asking, “To study or to survive.” Engineering student Panagiotis Moschonas criticized the conservative government’s student rent subsidy of 120 euros ($135) per month, saying it does not cover even half a month’s rent and is paid only at the end of the year. Police shadowed the march and conducted spot checks and bag searches. Because demonstrations in Greece sometimes turn violent, shops and cafes along the route lowered steel shutters to protect their windows. Teachers also called a strike, though some schools remained open. Teacher Ioannis Rompas said educators were striking because families are struggling with high costs and schools are deteriorating year after year.

Thousands of Greek students and teachers protested across the country on Wednesday, demanding greater public investment in education, improved school facilities, less-crowded classrooms and better pay. Police estimated that about 10,000 demonstrators, including school and university students, gathered peacefully in central Athens and its suburbs, while rallies also took place in other cities. The protests echoed demonstrations in France and elsewhere in Europe, where people have voiced anger about rising living costs and deteriorating public services. In Athens, students camped overnight in Syntagma Square before marching to parliament and chanting for free public education. Some primary school teachers and doctors also walked out, disrupting state school and hospital operations as they protested low pay and staff shortages. The demonstrations put additional pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ centre-right government ahead of elections expected in mid-2027. Greek households are facing stagnant wages, high rents and rising energy costs, continuing economic pressures years after the country’s debt crisis. Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki said she was listening to students’ concerns and acknowledged the strain housing costs place on households. She said projects worth more than €733 million were underway to build student residences and upgrade facilities. Greece’s recovery followed a 2009–2018 debt crisis, during which wages and education spending were cut under austerity measures tied to three international bailouts totaling about €290 billion. Although salaries have since risen, real purchasing power remains among the lowest in the European Union. Inflation and fuel-price increases linked to the Iran war have added pressure. The article reports that the average monthly salary of €1,500 remains at its 2009 level, while high rents have made city housing unaffordable for many young people. University student Georgia Foukidou described the difficulty of meeting rent, electricity and other living costs. The protests followed demonstrations in France and Albania, where cost-of-living anger and perceived corruption had resulted in clashes and property damage. Recent protests in Greece have largely remained peaceful. The government says subsidies and other assistance for households and businesses facing higher energy costs will total about €1 billion.