Scores of left-wing hardliners riot in Athens as PM agrees to new bailout terms
Many of Alexis Tsipras supporters feel that the charismatic young leader has gone back on his pre-election promises
Your support helps us to tell the story
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Rioters threw petrol bombs and vandalised cars on Thursday night in Athens as left-wing supporters vented their anger over the newly elected government’s perceived capitulation to Brussels.
Approximately 450 people took part in the first anti-government march in Greece since the election of a coalition government, headed by radical left-wing party Syriza, took office.
Video capturing the scenes shows roughly 50 protesters throwing what appear to be Molotov cocktails, burning cars and vandalising the streets of Athens as police – in riot gear – attempt to contain them.
Left-wing hardliners have been angered by Prime Minister Alexi Tsipras agreement with EU and IMF partners to extend the 240 billion-euro bailout programme to the bankrupt nation.
Mr Tsipras, who only a month ago was promising enraptured supporters that half of the Greek debt would be written off and that the country was “finished with orders from abroad”, now faces a very different climate.
Even members of his party Syriza have expressed some doubts about the latest agreement.
The new Greek leader has been forced to weaken on his demands for a reduction in debt, pledges to reverse privatisation and anti-austerity promises.
But he has gained a lower budget surplus for the year – allowing him to divert vital resources to helping those on, or below, the bottom line – and a number of semantic victories, such as removal of the hated words “bailout” and “troika” to “loan” and “institutions”.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments