Greek authorities utilized tear gas and engaged in a brief confrontation with demonstrators outside the parliament building on Thursday amidst protests opposing the authorization of foreign private universities to function in the nation.
During the early afternoon, a multitude of students and protesters peacefully marched through central Athens, with some displaying banners proclaiming: “Reject the privatization of public education!”.
Following the majority of the demonstrators passing by the parliament, a faction brandishing red flags engaged in a skirmish with law enforcement officers. An official from the police force reported that the officers were assaulted and subsequently responded by dispersing tear gas.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative administration has formulated an educational reform bill aimed at permitting the establishment of institutions that would operate as extensions of international universities.
Detractors argue that this initiative may diminish the value of degrees conferred by Greece’s public universities and lead to a further reduction in state funding for public education.
A parliamentary vote on the bill is scheduled for this month.
(Reuters/Photos by Louisa Gouliamaki)