The rising cost of living, the housing crisis and social inequality are fueling discontent across European countries, sending people into the streets to demand better living conditions. From Paris to Tirana, and from southern Europe to Belgium, young people have played a prominent role in the demonstrations, expressing the anxiety of a generation struggling to plan its future.
At the same time, images of vandalism and looting in Paris present a stark contrast. Residents and store owners have tried to protect their property from enraged crowds, in some cases using their own bodies as shields. In France, a curfew was imposed late Monday night, while some mayors have even called for the military to intervene to restore order.
Memories of Past Unrest
In Athens, demonstrations are already being organized for Wednesday. The government is closely monitoring developments as opposition parties, particularly SYRIZA and the Greek Left Alliance, call on people to take to the streets.
Greece has, after all, experienced periods of intense social unrest. In December 2008, riots erupted following the killing of teenager Alexandros Grigoropoulos by a police officer. The image of the burned Christmas tree in Athens’ central Syntagma Square that year has remained deeply etched in the country’s collective memory.
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Later, Greece saw major demonstrations during the years of the bailout agreements imposed amid the sovereign debt crisis. More recently, a massive demonstration over the Tempi rail disaster was held with a single demand: justice.
Government’s Position and Mitsotakis’ Message
The government is closely monitoring developments, particularly across Europe. Officials from the ruling party point to stability as an achievement that must not be lost.
At the same time, they are seeking to demonstrate that they recognize the difficulties facing households and the need for further intervention. Their argument is carefully drawn: peaceful protest is legitimate, but disorder is not.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis set out the government’s position during a visit to Lavrio, southeast of Athens, pledging that the country would not return to periods of major social unrest. He linked his warning to populism and past promises that Greece’s bailout agreements could be abolished “with one law and one article,” a slogan associated with the country’s years of economic crisis.
Mitsotakis also argued that despite the global rise in living costs straining European economies, Greece has fiscal room to provide support. Acknowledging the problems facing citizens, he sought to connect immediate relief measures with the prospect of improving everyday life beyond the 2027 elections.
“At a time when many European countries are facing major problems of social unrest, Greece remains a pillar of stability,” Mitsotakis said. “When we see these images, we have an obligation to make an explicit commitment: Greece will never again return to the days of major social unrest, to the days of the populists, when some promised us they could tear up the bailout agreements ‘with one law and one article,’ to times when lies dominated public debate.”
He continued: “When all European economies are being tested by the global rise in living costs, our country has the fiscal capacity to support Greek households. People have problems; we are not turning a blind eye. But we care, we are trying, we are doing our best.”
“We are not magicians who can solve every problem,” he added. “Anyone who promises you they can solve all your problems is lying to you. And those who promise everything do so because, quite simply, they are responsible for nothing.”
Marinakis: ‘Protest Is One Thing, Violence Another’
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, responding to a question on the sidelines of a briefing for political reporters, said the government was not seeking to capitalize on the possibility of social unrest.
“Protest, which we fully respect in every democratic country, is one thing, and violence is another,” Marinakis said.
He acknowledged the constitutionally protected right to peaceful demonstrations, drawing the line at destruction, illegal acts and attacks on people’s property.
Marinakis acknowledged that significant problems exist and that further government intervention is needed, particularly for school and university students. Difficulties finding housing, the condition of schools and the needs of universities formed the other side of his argument.
“Yes, we should listen to the concerns of school and university students, but we must isolate extreme voices,” he said.
As examples of government support, Marinakis cited the student housing allowance, the refund of one month’s rent, measures to provide new and renovated student housing, and increased spending on schools. He acknowledged that the measures need to move forward more quickly, while attributing some of the difficulties to problems left unresolved for decades.
Comparison With France and Criticism of the Opposition
Comparing Greece with France, Marinakis pointed to what he described as Greece’s fiscal advantage.
He argued that while a major European economy is being forced to adopt austerity measures, Greece, by contrast, is increasing government revenue by creating jobs and combating tax evasion while simultaneously reducing tax rates.
“We are not at that point in Greece, nor will we get there, and we must not get there,” he said.
Marinakis also attacked opposition parties, singling out a Greek Left Alliance official’s remark that roughly translates as “may we be next,” in reference to the unrest.
He accused part of that political camp of having historically “invested in chaos” and also targeted opposition politician Efi Achtsioglou, reviving an earlier comment attributed to her that “normality is never an opportunity for the Left.”
“I hope they have changed their minds and will come out and condemn such statements,” Marinakis said, calling on opposition officials to clearly distance themselves from such positions.