T
housands of students and teachers marched through central Athens on Wednesday, demanding affordable housing, increased education funding and government action to address soaring living costs, as a widening wave of economic protests continued to spread across Europe.
The demonstrations, which also took place in several other Greek cities, including Thessaloniki and the western port city of Patras, reflect growing frustration over rising household expenses, deteriorating school conditions and the financial pressures facing university students.
Protesters carrying banners and placards marched through the Greek capital, accusing the country’s conservative government of failing to adequately support students and educators amid mounting economic difficulties.
One banner reading “From Greece to France, give money to education” highlighted the growing connection between demonstrations taking place across the continent.
Other protesters carried signs written in French declaring, “To study or to survive,” underscoring concerns that rising living expenses are forcing young people to choose between pursuing their education and meeting basic financial needs.
The protests come amid widespread demonstrations across several European countries, where rising fuel prices, stagnant incomes and increasingly unaffordable housing have intensified public dissatisfaction.
France has witnessed particularly significant unrest, with some demonstrations descending into violent clashes, while similar protests have also taken place in Italy and Albania.
Housing affordability emerged as one of the central grievances among Greek students, many of whom say existing government assistance falls far short of covering their accommodation expenses.
Panagiotis Moschonas, a 20-year-old engineering student participating in the Athens demonstration, criticized the government for failing to introduce meaningful measures to address the financial difficulties facing university students.
He pointed specifically to the government’s student housing subsidy, arguing that the assistance was insufficient and poorly structured.
According to Moschonas, students receive a monthly rent subsidy of 120 euros, approximately $135, which does not even cover half the cost of accommodation.
He also criticized the fact that the subsidy is distributed at the end of the year rather than when students face their monthly rental obligations.
The complaints reflect broader concerns among young Europeans who are increasingly struggling to secure affordable accommodation while pursuing higher education.
Beyond housing, demonstrators called for greater public investment in schools and universities, arguing that education budgets have failed to keep pace with rising costs and growing institutional needs.
Wednesday’s demonstrations were accompanied by a teachers’ strike, although some schools remained open despite the industrial action.
Educators said worsening working conditions and financial pressures on their families had made further collective action necessary.
Teacher Ioannis Rompas said the strike reflected growing frustration among education workers who were struggling to cope with everyday expenses while witnessing the continuing deterioration of public schools.
“Today we are striking because this situation can’t continue for our families,” Rompas said, citing high living costs and the increasing difficulty of making ends meet.
He warned that conditions in schools were deteriorating significantly year after year, adding to the pressure facing teachers and students alike.
Greek authorities maintained a significant security presence throughout Wednesday’s demonstrations, with riot police closely monitoring protesters as they moved through central Athens.
Officers conducted spot checks and searched bags belonging to people approaching the demonstration areas.
Businesses along the protest route also took precautionary measures, with several shops and cafes lowering steel shutters to protect their premises against potential damage.
The security arrangements reflected concerns over possible violence, given that demonstrations in Greece have previously escalated into confrontations between protesters and police.
The latest mobilization comes as governments across Europe face mounting pressure to address the consequences of rising living expenses and public dissatisfaction with spending priorities.
Students and teachers have become increasingly prominent in the demonstrations, arguing that education and affordable housing should receive greater government attention.
The coordinated grievances emerging across national borders suggest that economic frustration is developing into a broader political challenge for European governments.
For Greek demonstrators, Wednesday’s march delivered a clear message: existing financial assistance and education policies are no longer sufficient to address the growing pressures facing students, teachers and their families.
With similar protests continuing elsewhere in Europe, the demonstrations in Athens highlight how rising living costs are increasingly translating into public demands for changes in government spending and social policy.
(Source: ABC News)
Stay informed by subscribing to
our weekly newsletter.
