PROTESTERS HURL FIREBOMBS OVER UNIVERSITIES PLAN
Protesters hurled gasoline bombs and firecrackers at police outside Greece’s parliament Friday after thousands attended a demonstration against government plans to introduce privately run universities.
Police charged the violent demonstrators and fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Several people were hurt and received first aid from volunteer medics who reached parliament by motorcycle.
Friday’s rally followed weeks of demonstrations that included scores of university building occupations by students.
Lawmakers were to vote on the measure later Friday, with the bill expected to pass. Greece’s centre-right government has argued that the reform would help attract skilled workers back to the country.
“We must say a resounding ‘yes’ to this measure ... as a guarantee of greater freedom and greater access to knowledge for all Greek students,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament ahead of the vote.
Opposition parties are broadly against the bill, arguing that it violates the constitution and could create a two-tier system for students.
“The (government) is introducing the concept of meritocracy paid by tuition fees. Whoever has money will study: the power of privilege,” lawmaker Harris Mamoulakis of the main leftwing opposition party Syriza said during the three-day debate.
Education reforms in Greece are often politically charged, with university activism historically linked to pro-democracy movements but also later used as a refuge for violent protest groups.
Although private higher education is already legal in Greece, the new law would make degrees from vetted private institutions equivalent to public universities. Overseas universities would be allowed to open branches in Greece using a non-profit status despite charging tuition fees.