Greece Brought to Standstill by Nationwide Strike

The country was brought to a standstill. Public transport stopped, schools closed, and boats remained moored at docks. Taxi drivers, hospital staff, teachers, and air traffic controllers were among the many groups to join the 24-hour strike. Unions are hoping to send the message to the European Union and the International Monetary Fund that the spending cuts they demand are too much for Greeks to withstand.

 

[Petros, Civil Servant]: 

"I join strikes and I believe that these austerity measures are too much for the Greek people to bear, and I think they should have a say in things."

 

Greece is preparing to cut 11.5 billion euros of cuts to receive another 31.5 billion in aid, part of a deal for a 130 billion euro bailout. However, with the country expected to run out of money next month, it has little choice but to push for the relief package.

 

During the protests, there were some clashes with police in Athens; parts of Styntagma Square were closed off in preparation for rallies at the Greek Parliament. However, as of now, the Square has reopened to traffic.