University occupations de-escalate amid student fatigue

After two months of university occupations in protest at new legislation allowing the establishment of non-state universities in Greece, the vast majority of students are expected to return to classes on Tuesday.

In fact, most occupations had already ended by Friday. At the peak of the mobilizations, approximately 200 schools were shut down by protesters.

Student associations are gradually discontinuing general assemblies, as left-wing student factions abandon prolonged sit-ins as a form of protest. The remaining assemblies have minimal participation.

The de-escalation is primarily attributed to the eventual approval of the relevant bill in Parliament on March 8. Additionally, it is apparent that students are fatigued, posing a challenge for left-wing student factions to uphold a hardline stance, as it could adversely affect them leading up to the student elections in May.

Left-wing groups declare that they will continue their fight against non-state universities using alternative methods.