Greece
Pseudo-left promotes dangerous illusions following criminal conviction of Greek fascists
By Peter Schwarz, 16 October 2020
Greece’s supreme court ruled that the neo-fascist party Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn) was a criminal organisation, and convicted 68 members on charges including violence, membership in a criminal organisation, grievous bodily harm, and illegal possession of weapons.
A reply to the OKDE-Spartakos party’s letter on Greek school occupations
By Alex Lantier, 13 October 2020
The WSWS replies to a denial by the Greek affiliates of the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) that it is linked to the NPA’s support for austerity and herd immunity policies.
School occupations continue in Greece as students resist government blackmail and violence
By Katerina Selin, 6 October 2020
Since the homicidal reopening of schools two weeks ago, students, with the support of parents and teachers, have been fighting against the attempt to force them back into dilapidated school buildings, where they will be exposed to the deadly threat of the coronavirus without adequate protection.
Révolution Permanente (NPA) silent on Greek youth protests against COVID-19
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 6 October 2020
The New Anticapitalist Party’s (NPA) web site is silent on the mass struggles in Greece because it supports the official policy of herd immunity on COVID-19.
UK Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee hears report on Greek school occupations
By our reporter, 1 October 2020
The meeting heard how the Greek government was following the same “herd-immunity” policy of allowing the virus to rip through the population as others worldwide.
700 Greek schools occupied by students protesting unsafe return to classes
By Robert Stevens and John Vassilopoulos, 30 September 2020
Given that it is mainly secondary education impacted, more than one in five of the country’s 3,168 high schools have been occupied.
Student protests against herd immunity policy spread across Greece
By Alex Lantier, 25 September 2020
High school students marched in Athens and Thessaloniki Thursday as occupations of high schools and strikes by doctors, port workers and airline workers spread.
Students occupy schools across Greece to protest unsafe return to classrooms
By Robert Stevens, 23 September 2020
Anger is erupting among youth in Greece at being forced back to school amid a raging pandemic of COVID-19.
Greece buys billions in French arms amid war tensions with Turkey
By Alex Lantier, 14 September 2020
The purchase of a squadron of fighter jets and four warships marks a major escalation in the military standoff between Greece, backed by France, and Turkey.
Thousands sleeping rough after the burning down of Moria refugee camp on Lesbos
By John Vassilopoulos, 12 September 2020
Shocking footage and pictures show refugees of all ages sleeping on roads and hillsides, surrounded by their meagre possessions.
No to a Greek-Turkish war in the eastern Mediterranean!
International Committee of the Fourth International, 12 September 2020
Amid the escalation of threats and naval maneuvers between Turkey and Greece, backed by France, Europe and the Middle East are teetering on the brink of war.
Lesbos refugee-camp blaze leaves 13,000 without shelter
By Robert Stevens, 10 September 2020
A call from a detainee during the blaze asked, “Where is the police, where is the fire brigade, where is anyone? We are burning, our tents are burning. Everything is burning. We came here to burn to death. All is on fire.”
Greek-Turkish standoff escalates war danger in eastern Mediterranean
By Alex Lantier, 2 September 2020
Top officials of NATO member states are openly discussing going to war with one another, in conflicts that could set the Mediterranean and the world ablaze.
Greek government continues evictions of over 11,000 asylum seekers
By John Vassilopoulos, 31 August 2020
The ND government's actions are particularly brutal amid a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with hundreds of new infections being announced each day.
Greece sees resurgence of coronavirus since end of lockdown
By John Vassilopoulos, 19 August 2020
The government’s response has been a series of token measures targeting areas with a high number of cases, including Attica and Thessaloniki. Set to run until August 24, the measures subordinate public health to commercial interests.
France holds joint military exercises with Greece, threatening Turkey
By Ulaş Ateşçi and Alex Lantier, 14 August 2020
Mounting tensions between NATO powers threaten to blow up the alliance as the pandemic intensifies pre-existing conflicts over oil and strategic advantage.
Greek, Turkish warships nearly clash in Aegean over Mediterranean gas fields
By Alex Lantier, 24 July 2020
Conflicts unleashed by decades of imperialist war in the Middle East and the Mediterranean are now threatening to blow up the NATO alliance.
Greek government passes draconian anti-protest legislation
By John Vassilopoulos, 13 July 2020
The Bill was voted into law after thousands of workers protested in Athens and throughout Greece.
YDSA develops ties with SYRIZA youth, Greek party of austerity and police repression
By Sam Wayne, 27 June 2020
Members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America have published a joint statement with the youth section of SYRIZA, the “Coalition of the Radical Left.”
The last resort of the EU fighting refugees in Greece—armed force and COVID-19
By Katerina Selin, 18 May 2020
Greek soldiers used tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets and live ammunition against refugees stranded in the no-man’s-land between Greece and Turkey.
Greece comes out of lockdown and plans resumption of tourism
By John Vassilopoulos, 9 May 2020
The lifting of the measures, which will undo efforts that have lowered the spread and death rate from COVID-19, is of crucial importance to the Greek ruling elite.
Greek medical workers demand funds to combat coronavirus pandemic
By John Vassilopoulos, 15 April 2020
Greece only had 560 intensive care unit beds as the pandemic began, 6 per 1 million inhabitants compared to 29.2 in Germany.
Refugees left to die as COVID-19 spreads across Greece
By George Gallanis, 7 April 2020
Greece’s New Democracy government is ignoring calls to move refugees, presently clustered on islands, to mainland facilities to combat COVID-19.
Coronavirus transforms Greek refugee camps into death camps
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 21 March 2020
The intolerable hygienic conditions in the internment camps prevent even the most basic protective measures from being adopted.
Syriza leader Tsipras offers collaboration with New Democracy against refugees and Turkey
By John Vassilopoulos and Chris Marsden, 20 March 2020
Tsipras is signing off on a policy of brutal repression of refugees waged jointly by the government, fascist thugs who have benefited most from the stoking up of chauvinism and xenophobia, and the European Union.
Greece: New Democracy government deepens attacks on pensions
By John Vassilopoulos, 10 March 2020
Pension legislation maintains the increase in the pension age to 67, including for unhealthy and hazardous occupations, with more increases on the horizon.
Greek police shoot at refugees using live ammunition
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 9 March 2020
More than 10,000 people are trapped in the Greek-Turkey border area, unable to move backward or forward.
Spain’s PSOE-Podemos government sends police to Greece to attack migrants
By Alejandro López, 9 March 2020
The pseudo-left is complicit in the dispatching of police to Greece, where far right thugs are attacking refugees with the complicity of the government.
European Union intensifies war against refugees at Turkish-Greek border
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 4 March 2020
Under the eyes of a high-ranking EU delegation, Greek border guards brutally attacked unarmed refugees.
Amid Syrian war, Turkey opens borders for Syrian refugees to travel to Europe
By Baris Demir, 4 March 2020
The persecution of asylum seekers in Turkey and Greece—which fight with each other over the flow of immigrants—is the product of the EU's brutal policies.
Stop the war on refugees at the Greek-Turkish border!
By Johannes Stern, 3 March 2020
The pictures seen around the world over recent days recall the darkest chapters of European history, and expose the true character of the European Union and all capitalist governments throughout the continent.
New study reveals growing health crisis in Greece
By George Gallanis, 27 February 2020
The health of Greek workers continues to deteriorate after years of austerity measures imposed by Syriza and previous capitalist governments.
Control of offshore gas and oil provokes conflicts in eastern Mediterranean
By Jean Shaoul, 24 February 2020
A new “scramble for Africa” is being tied into a new “scramble” for the eastern Mediterranean, as Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, Lebanon and the European powers compete over gas exploration, production licenses and pipelines.
Growth of fascistic attacks on refugees in Greece
By George Gallanis, 14 February 2020
A thousand threads tie the fascistic thugs on the streets hunting down refugees to the ruling Greek capitalist party, New Democracy.
Right wing whips up anti-refugee sentiment in Greek island protests
By John Vassilopoulos, 31 January 2020
Posters advertising the protests portrayed refugees as invaders and bore the slogan “We want our islands back… we want our life back!”
Video shows Greek authorities performing illegal “push backs” at refugee crossing
By George Gallanis, 30 December 2019
A United Nations working group confirmed Greek authorities have been illegally deporting refugees for years, including under the Syriza government.
Protests after death in fire at Greece’s Moria concentration camp
By Robert Stevens, 1 October 2019
Moria is a hellhole established by the 2015-2019 pseudo-left Syriza government, where refugees and asylum seekers are held pending deportation.
Greek workers strike to oppose New Democracy government’s anti-union legislation
By John Vassilopoulos, 1 October 2019
In the first major strike called since New Democracy came to power in July, transport was brought to a standstill in Athens as bus, trolley and light railway drivers joined the strike, while passenger ferries also remained docked.
The Legacy of Syriza: Four years of austerity, privatizations, militarism and attacks on refugees—Part 3
By Katerina Selin, 13 September 2019
The intention of this series of articles is to depict what the four years of Syriza’s government policy meant concretely for workers, youth and retirees in Greece.
Greek police detain 143 migrants in Athens raid
By George Gallanis, 12 September 2019
The vice president of Greece’s Police Union said the fascistic crackdown on refugees in Athens was like a finger turning on a “silent vacuum cleaner that will sweep up garbage.”
The legacy of Syriza: Four years of austerity, privatizations, militarism and attacks on refugees—Part 2
By Katerina Selin, 12 September 2019
The Syriza government did not choose its coalition partner Anel despite, but rather because of, its reactionary nationalism, aggressive militarism and xenophobia.
The legacy of Syriza: Four years of austerity, privatizations, militarism and attacks on refugees—Part 1
By Katerina Selin, 11 September 2019
The intention of this series of articles is to explain what four years of Syriza’s government has meant concretely for workers, youth and retirees in Greece.
Greek riot police attack child asylum seekers and refugees at Moria camp
By John Vassilopoulos, 10 September 2019
The protestors were part of the 300 unaccompanied child asylum seekers recently interned at the camp.
Greece’s New Democracy government intensifies Syriza's anti-refugee policy
By George Gallanis, 22 August 2019
As it plans stepped-up police-state repression, ND bases itself directly on policies of the previous pseudo-left Syriza (“Coalition of the Radical Left”) government.
Greece’s New Democracy party seeks to overturn law protecting students from police repression
By George Gallanis, 30 July 2019
The Greek ruling class is preparing the grounds for a dictatorial state reminiscent of Greece’s 1967-1974 junta, from whose bloody legacy the law was born.
Riot police attack Athens protest against Airbnb as housing costs soar
By John Vassilopoulos, 18 July 2019
The attack by riot police came one day after Draconian law-and-order plans were unveiled by the newly elected conservative New Democracy government.
Syriza’s election defeat: A balance sheet of a political betrayal
By Alex Lantier, 9 July 2019
Hailed as a “radical” alternative to capitalism by the middle-class left, the Syriza-led government of Alexis Tsipras spent four years carrying out austerity measures on behalf of the EU.
After years of austerity measures, “radical left” Syriza suffers devastating defeat in Greek elections
By Alex Lantier, 8 July 2019
Mass disaffection with the entire political establishment resulted in a 42 percent abstention, the highest in Greece since parliamentary democracy was re-established 45 years ago.
Syriza poised to hand over power to New Democracy in Greece’s July 7 elections
By Alex Lantier, 6 July 2019
Syriza called early elections to hand power to fascistic, right-wing forces amid growing opposition among workers to its reactionary policies.
Financial Times hails four years of Syriza rule in Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 25 May 2019
To be favourably featured in a leading mouthpiece of the global financial aristocracy is testament to the high regard in which Alexis Tsipras is held in ruling circles.
Syriza government authorises mass evictions of refugees and asylum seekers
By John Vassilopoulos, 30 April 2019
The Syriza government has been at the forefront of cracking down on refugees as part of the European Union’s anti-immigrant agenda.
Greece: Syriza government mobilises riot police against refugees
By John Vassilopoulos, 10 April 2019
In enforcing the European Union’s anti-immigrant policy on the continent’s southern border, Syriza willingly acts as the jailer of all refugees stranded within its country’s borders.
Greek parliament votes in support of Macedonia name change
By Katerina Selin, 30 January 2019
The Prespa agreement is aimed at paving the way for Macedonia’s rapid integration into NATO and the European Union.
Syriza government enforces new budget cuts in Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 11 January 2019
Syriza is enforcing another austerity budget that reduces even further the social position of an already devastated working class.
Greek workers protest social attacks by Syriza government
By John Vassilopoulos, 27 November 2018
Strikes and protests in Greece are part of a wider upsurge of the class struggle throughout Europe.
Brutal conditions at Greek refugee camps condemned
By John Vassilopoulos, 9 October 2018
The appalling conditions in Greece refugee camps are a direct consequence of the filthy deal cut between the European Union, Turkey and the Syriza government in 2016.
Syriza jails Syrian swimmer Sara Mardini for helping refugees in Greece
By Kumaran Ira, 10 September 2018
This blatant attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid to refugees is a devastating exposure of the European Union and Greece’s Syriza government.
Death toll rises from Greek forest fires
By John Vassilopoulos, 23 August 2018
Fire victims have demonstrated outside parliament to protest inadequate assistance from the Syriza government.
Greek Prime Minister Tsipras claims social cuts over as Syriza prepares more austerity
By Alex Lantier, 22 August 2018
Tsipras’ speech hailing the expiration of the decade-long European Union bailout scheme for Greece was a pack of lies from start to finish.
As Greece exits bailout, EU demands further austerity
By Robert Stevens, 21 August 2018
The conclusion of the bailout is a vote of confidence from financial markets that the pseudo-left Syriza government will continue looting the people to pay off the banks.
The social and political background to the forest fire disaster in Greece
By Katerina Selin, 28 July 2018
The depiction of forest fires as an inevitable natural phenomenon serves to cover up the impact of ten years of austerity ordered by the European Union, which have led to the total collapse of basic public services throughout Greece.
Greece: 76 dead in wildfires near Athens
By Katerina Selin, 25 July 2018
The devastating wildfires are raging in the Greek region of Attica near the capital Athens.
Three years since Syriza’s referendum on EU austerity in Greece
By Alex Lantier, 6 July 2018
Syriza’s repudiation of the Greek workers’ “no” vote on austerity exposed the class gulf separating the workers from pro-capitalist middle-class parties like Syriza.
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hails Alexis Tsipras of Syriza
By Robert Stevens, 4 July 2018
The Labour leader praised Syriza only days after it enforced the latest round of austerity and pledged further services to the EU’s vicious anti-migrant measures.
Syriza and EU plan decades of austerity measures and privatizations
By Katerina Selin, 28 June 2018
At a meeting of euro finance ministers on June 21, the EU states came to an agreement on the formal withdrawal of Greece from the European Union’s so-called “rescue programs.”
Greece’s Syriza government rushes fourth austerity program through parliament
By Katerina Selin, 21 June 2018
Syriza is once again preparing to impose harsh measures on workers, retirees and young people.
General strike in Greece against Syriza’s latest austerity package
By Robert Stevens, 31 May 2018
The stoppage, nearly the 50th general strike since 2010, saw transport and services in Greece grind to a halt.
Greek Syriza government steps up brutal repression of refugees and asylum seekers
By John Vassilopoulos, 19 May 2018
Syriza and its government coalition partners have become the EU’s jailor, presiding over what are essentially concentration camps.
Interview with a teacher from Greece: “Teachers have the same problems worldwide”
By Marianne Arens, 2 April 2018
Evangelos, a teacher from Greece working in Germany, expressed his solidarity with teachers in the US and reported on the recent teachers’ strike in Greece.
Greek rent subsidy scandal forces resignation of two Syriza ministers
By Alex Lantier, 28 February 2018
The wealthy couple had a yearly income of over $500,000 but claimed €23,000 in rent subsidies for an apartment in Athens’ upscale Kolonaki area that they in fact owned.
Greece’s far-right and military lead protests over Republic of Macedonia name
By John Vassilopoulos, 15 February 2018
The Western powers, led by the US, have placed maximum pressure on both countries to resolve the dispute so Macedonia can be incorporated into NATO.
Why does Mélenchon want to expel Syriza from the European Left Party?
By Alex Lantier, 8 February 2018
Mélenchon wants to defend the anti-worker policies of European Left member parties in the face of rising social anger and working class militancy across Europe.
Syriza mounts savage assault on living standards and democratic rights in Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 26 January 2018
The austerity measures passed January 15 by Greece’s parliament are among the most savage yet imposed—befitting a right-wing government whose “radical left” credentials are in tatters.
The working class moves against Greece’s Syriza government
By Alex Lantier, 19 January 2018
The working class is fighting to defend its social and democratic rights against all the organizations that for decades passed for the “far left” of the political establishment.
Greek workers strike against Syriza’s imposition of EU austerity “multi-bill”
By Alex Lantier, 16 January 2018
Syriza aims to further slash living standards while making it illegal for Greek workers to use their constitutionally protected right to strike to defend themselves.
Greek workers stop work in opposition to Syriza anti-strike and austerity measures
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2018
Strikes shut down the Athens rail system, ships were unable to sail, and state-run hospitals were forced to rely on reserve staff.
Greek unions hold one-day general strike to protest Syriza’s brutal austerity measures
By John Vassilopoulos and Robert Stevens, 15 December 2017
The day prior to the walkout, angry municipal workers booed and jeered Greek Prime Minister and Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras.
Floods in Greece claim 23 lives
By John Vassilopoulos, 29 November 2017
The floods have again exposed the absence of any coordinated town planning and inadequate anti-flood infrastructure in the West Attica area near Athens.
Greek Prime Minister Tsipras embraces Trump
By Alex Lantier, 19 October 2017
The statement of Tsipras that he shares “common values” with Trump exposes not only Syriza, but all of the middle-class “left” parties internationally that promoted it.
Greece: Syriza touts for investors and fêtes Macron
By Katerina Selin, 18 September 2017
The Greek parliamentary summer is over. In the weeks and months ahead a new round of cuts will begin, which will lead to fierce class battles.
Macron goes to Greece: “Radical left” Tsipras welcomes ex-banker turned French president
By Alex Lantier, 12 September 2017
Macron traveled to Greece to hail the austerity measures imposed by the Syriza (“Coalition of the Radical Left”) government, which show the future for the workers of France.
Syriza offers big business mega-profits in Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 18 July 2017
Nothing is to be allowed that prevents the financial oligarchy from plundering Greece’s assets and stepping up the exploitation of an already pauperised workforce.
Greek waste disposal workers strike against mass layoffs
By Christoph Vandreier, 28 June 2017
The Syriza government is throwing 10,000 waste disposal workers out of work in order to balance the budget and meet potential demands from the country’s creditors.
After Syriza pushes through more austerity, EU approves loan to Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 19 June 2017
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras boasted that “in the two years that our government is in office, we have implemented more reforms than all the other European states combined.”
Syriza government in Greece passes more austerity
By John Vassilopoulos, 13 June 2017
The bill includes measures designed to facilitate mass sackings as well as further sell-offs of public assets.
Greek workers mount one-day strike against EU austerity package
By Alex Lantier, 18 May 2017
Workers mobilized Wednesday across Greece in a strike called by the trade unions against new austerity measures being imposed by the Syriza government.
Greece’s Syriza government agrees to further savage austerity measures
By John Vassilopoulos, 6 May 2017
Pensions are set to be slashed by up to 18 percent, affecting some 1.1 million pensioners, equivalent to around 1 percent of GDP.
Greek Syriza government and European Union finalise more brutal austerity
By John Vassilopoulos, 1 April 2017
Greece’s Syriza-led government has reportedly reached an informal agreement with the European Commission to slash the pensions of 900,000 retirees.
New in Urdu
Urdu translation of “The Political Lessons of Syriza’s Betrayal in Greece”
8 March 2017
The statement is a devastating exposure of the pseudo-left in Greece and internationally who shamelessly promoted Syriza as a means for working people to oppose austerity.
EU and IMF demand more austerity measures from Greece
By Robert Stevens, 11 February 2017
Under conditions in which US President Donald Trump has declared his desire for the breakup of the EU, Greece is once again in the eye of the storm.
European Union and IMF demand new austerity measures in Greece
By Christoph Vandreier, 17 December 2016
At a joint press conference in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras made a show of unity in advance of new attacks on the working class.
Greek workers stage 24-hour strike against Syriza government austerity
By John Vassilopoulos, 9 December 2016
In calling the 24-hour general strike, the aim of the union federations was to allow Greek workers to let off steam while the barrage of austerity measures continues unabated.
Greek fascists attack refugee camp
By John Vassilopoulos, 24 November 2016
Riot police intervened to stop Thursday’s attacks on the camp only after they had gone on for five hours.
Obama postures as Europe’s protector in Athens
By Chris Marsden, 17 November 2016
The European Union has plunged millions of Greek workers into an ever-deeper social nightmare based on an austerity programme that Obama endorses.
Greek protests greet Obama’s last overseas tour as US president
By Alex Lantier, 16 November 2016
Obama aimed to reassure the European ruling classes that Donald Trump's election would not undermine their relations with the United States.
Greece: Syriza government reshuffle prepares new attacks on working class
By Katerina Selin, 12 November 2016
The Greek government is responding to the country’s growing political and social crisis by working more closely with international creditors to push through austerity measures.
Refugees face catastrophic conditions in Italy and Greece
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 7 November 2016
Amnesty International has accused the Italian security forces of using torture and ill-treatment to force refugees to be fingerprinted.
Stylianos Pattakos (1912-2016): Leader of Greece’s CIA-backed military junta
By John Vassilopoulos, 7 November 2016
Pattakos was tried and convicted for his crimes during the military junta, but the Greek Stalinists and Syriza allowed him to return to political life.
Syriza agrees to further austerity measures
By John Vassilopoulos, 18 October 2016
European Union commissioner Pierre Moscovici praised Syriza’s “tremendous work” in imposing all the attacks demanded against the working class.
Syriza government assaults Greek retirees
By Katerina Selin, 5 October 2016
On Monday, the Greek government mobilised the police to attack protesting retirees.
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