Clashes erupt in Athens during rally against government educational reform bill

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Clashes broke out in the Greek capital of Athens on Thursday during a protest against the government's educational reform bill, which would allow private universities to operate in the country.

The clashes began when some of the roughly 5,000 protesters attempted to breach the security cordon around the Parliament Building's gate on central Vasilis Sofias Avenue during the protest, forcing police to respond with pepper spray.

Clashes continued in the central Panepistimiou Street and its surrounding alleys, with some protestors throwing stones at police teams and setting fire to trash bins in response to police actions.

Meanwhile, public broadcaster ERT reported that around 150 faculties at various universities across the country remain under student occupation, prompting some universities to consider online final exams.

On Dec. 20, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced higher education reforms, allowing private universities to be established in Greece.

He said private universities would be able to operate as Greek branches of foreign educational institutions, some of which are already seeking to operate in the country.

Greece has 24 accredited public universities, as well as several private colleges.

The constitution currently prohibits private institutions from operating as independent universities for postsecondary education.

Colleges generally overcome this constraint by forming collaboration agreements with foreign universities to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs.