On 20 October students pitched tents on Syntagma Square in front of parliament, and the next day Greece held a nationwide day of protest. There were marches in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, Volos, Heraklion, Lamia, Trikala and Karditsa. Police estimated the crowd at about 10,000 in Athens and about 3,000 in Thessaloniki.

Clashes near Omonia

The main march in Athens was peaceful. After it ended, a group of young people threw stones at police near Omonia Square; officers used stun grenades, and there were also reports of Molotov cocktails. 25 people were taken to police stations in Athens and 10 in Thessaloniki – some for preventive checks rather than formal arrests. Minors were among those detained.

Schools and demands

47 schools were occupied in western Greece. Protesters are demanding money for education, smaller classes, cheaper student housing and action on the housing crisis. A French slogan appeared on banners: “Study or survive?”.

Government response

Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki said she is listening to pupils and pointed to projects worth more than $823m for student housing and renovations. Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s government faces an election in mid-2027.