Anti-Austerity Protesters Clash With Police in Athens

The demonstrations come as Greek lawmakers consider another set of austerity measures.

GettyImages-480809766crop
GettyImages-480809766crop

Violent clashes between riot police and protesters returned to the streets of Athens on Wednesday night, as lawmakers debated a deeply controversial measure that would impose harsh austerity measures on the Greek economy in exchange for another bailout.

Violent clashes between riot police and protesters returned to the streets of Athens on Wednesday night, as lawmakers debated a deeply controversial measure that would impose harsh austerity measures on the Greek economy in exchange for another bailout.

Protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police, who responded in turn with tear gas. Dramatic video footage shows protesters and police clashing near Syntagma Square:

Other footage captured protesters setting a TV van on fire:

The debate over further austerity measures has opened up a painful split on the Greek left. Tsipras and his allies maintain that they have been forced to capitulate to European creditors in order to preserve the Greek banking system and prevent further chaos. Many others are deeply fed up with the kind of austerity measures that have devastated the Greek economy, seemingly without an end in sight.

That sense of discontent is now finding an outlet on Athens’s streets:

Protesters stand in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens during an anti-austerity protest. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images

Riot police stand amid petrol bombs thrown by protesters. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images

Riot police use their shields against petrol bombs lobbed by protesters. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images

Riot policemen run after protesters throwing petrol bombs in central Athens. ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images

A protester bleeds as he is arrested by riot police. Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

A protester burns a Greek flag in central Athens during an anti-austerity protest. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images

A protester clashes with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament. ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images

A protester reacts during an anti-austerity protest. Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

Top image: Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

Twitter: @EliasGroll

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.