Background of the 2010 events
In the early to mid-2000s, the government took advantage of Greece's strong economy by running a large deficit. As the world economy cooled in the late 2000s, Greece was hit hard because its main industries—Austerity measures
On 1 May, Prime MinisterRelationship to the 2008 Greek riots
The 2008 Greek riots started on 6 December 2008, when Alexandros Grigoropoulos ( el, Αλέξανδρος Γρηγορόπουλος), a 15-year-old student, was killed by two policemen in the2010 protests
The chief motivator behind the anti austerity protests appeared to be a deprivation type stimulus with actors, such as financial institutions and other foreign bodies such as the EU and Germany, being held accountable for the austerity policies implemented.Before 5 May 2010
On May Day, there were protest marches in5 May 2010 strike and demonstrations
In response to the proposed spending cuts and tax increases, a nationwide strike was called for 5 May. Starting at midnight, aeroplane, train, and ferry traffic in and out of the country ceased. Schools, some hospitals, and many private businesses were closed. The demonstrations are seen by some as the most widespread since the end of theAftermath of protest of 5 May
On 5 and 6 May 2010, the Hellenic Parliament passed the proposed austerity measures, claiming they show the Greek government's commitment to tackling itsBackground of the 2011 protests
The memorandum signed between Greece and the IMF became largely unpopular in Greece, with some polls showing that 62% believe it was a bad decision. This memorandum came into action 7 October 2011. Amid accusations that the government has not achieved its goals according to the IMF memorandum, some countries in the2011 protests
February 2011
On 23 February 2011, there was a recurrence of violent protests and strikes, involving up to 100,000 people as German Chancellor"Indignant Citizens Movement" (May–August)
May
On 25 May 2011, peaceful demonstrations started in Athens and other major cities, protesting the new austerity measures proposed by the government, in the same spirit as the 2011 Spanish protests. The demonstrations include most major Greek cities:June
Demonstrations continued on 1 June. AtJuly
Protests across the country continued in July, marking 5 weeks and 2 days of protest on 1 July. Despite the fact that the austerity measures had been passed, a large crowd, but smaller than on previous days, gathered in front of the Greek parliament to protest peacefully on 2 July.August
The sit-in atPolitical reactions
In an interview for the Greek newspaper ''Ethnos'' on 29 May 2011, the vice-president of thePublic perception and media coverage
In a survey published in June 2011 by Public Issue on behalf of the Greek TV channelGallery
Other protests in 2011
August
On 23 August 2011, there was a demonstration by workers in the tourism sector. The Pan-Worker's Front staged a sit-in at some of Athens' most famous hotels on Syntagma Square, as well as the iconic Electra Palace Hotel inSeptember
In early September 2011, as new measures were announced by the Minister for Finance on 6 September, various unions of the country's public sector announced they would go on strike. These include teachers, doctors, taxi drivers, customs officials and tax collectors, as well asOctober
On 5 October 2011, there was a general strike. During the demonstrations police clashed with youth and made 10 arrests. Police are also investigating claims by journalists that they were assaulted by police officers. The police officer who assaulted the journalist was arrested, but then released on 6 October until conclusive evidence is found. There were demonstrations in co-ordination with theNovember
On 17 November, as part of the ongoing protests that led to the resignation of the Papandreau government, over 50 thousand people marched in AthensDecember
On 6 December, to mark an anniversary of the death of2012 protests
On 12 February, as many as 500,000 protesters gathered in Athens outside the Parliament House to voice opposition toAftermath of 2012 protests
The anti austerity movement in Greece led to a gradual decline in the popularity of the socialist PASOK party. In 2011, Greece had the highest rate of those at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the Eurozone(31 per cent compared to an average of 24.2 per cent across the EU as a whole). The suicide rate in Greece had increased 26.5 per cent from 377 in 2010 to 477 in 2011.'Suicide rate climbs 26.5 percent in 2011 from 2010; greatest rise in women' ekathimerini, http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/General/LivingConditionsInGreece_0413.pdf The declining conditions led to the left wing SYRIZA party being swept to power in early 2015 with their anti austerity policies being well received across GreeceSee also
* 2008 Greek riots *References
External links