Greek police currently see limited signs that the large demonstrations and episodes of violence reported in France, Belgium, Italy and Albania could spread to Greece.
According to police officials, recent solidarity demonstrations in Greece, particularly in Syntagma Square in central Athens, have attracted relatively small crowds. Authorities have also received no significant indications of growing unrest linked to student housing costs, while activity among anti-authoritarian groups has so far remained limited.
Police officials also believe that the social and political factors behind the clashes in other countries differ from those in Greece.
Nevertheless, authorities are not ruling out the possibility of an unexpected escalation, with the upcoming student demonstrations expected to be a key indicator of whether tensions could intensify.
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Police focus on preventing clashes
The main priority for the Hellenic Police is to manage demonstrations carefully and prevent confrontations that could result in injuries and trigger broader unrest.
Officials are particularly focused on the student and nationwide education-sector rallies scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Although the current assessment points to a relatively limited risk, police cannot exclude the possibility of a sudden deterioration in the situation.
School occupations have ended
Police officials said that, at the beginning of the school year, students occupied 12 school complexes, primarily protesting shortages of teaching staff and other problems affecting their schools.
Following complaints from the principals of some schools, authorities opened case files involving certain students. No school occupations are currently being recorded, according to police officials.
Student housing and education costs fuel protests
Student associations in Athens held a demonstration last Tuesday, focusing on the high cost of education and student accommodation. The protest did not draw particularly large crowds, and no tensions were reported.
Many of the participating student associations are affiliated with the Students’ Militant Front (MAS), a student organization politically aligned with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).
Authorities will be watching the next round of demonstrations to assess whether concerns over the cost of studying, housing and other education-related issues lead to larger mobilizations or confrontations.