Alert for ‘final’ student protest
Police in Athens have been placed on high alert for what could be the last public rally – at least for now – against the government’s university reforms bill because of fears that clashes might be more violent than usual. Today’s protest, which is due to take place noon in front of Athens University, is likely to be the last after three months of weekly rallies against the reforms, which aim to limit the time students have to complete their degrees while making universities more independent. MPs are due to vote on the bill today so university students and teachers who oppose the changes will not have another chance to voice their opposition. Police sources told Kathimerini that officers fear that this might lead to a bigger turnout and a greater potential for anarchists or radicals to try to leave their mark through violent clashes. Officers have been ordered to remain calm, even if they come under heavy attack. The Panhellenic Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (POSDEP), which is in its third month of protest action, repeated yesterday its determination to fight the reforms even if they are passed into law. Kathimerini understands that four constitutional experts from Athens University and Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University are examining the draft law to see whether the constitutionality of the provisions can be challenged in court. POSDEP’s administrative committee is due to meet today to discuss how teachers should continue their protest. Student organizations are also expected to meet today to decide whether to continue with lockouts that have led to 284 university departments being occupied. PASOK leader George Papandreou said in Parliament yesterday that his MPs would not be present at the vote on the bill. «You can vote on it on your own,» he told New Democracy deputies. «The law will never be implemented anyway as we will change it after the next elections.» Synaspismos Left Coalition and the Communist Party have said they will not take part in the vote either.
