© Reuters. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addresses lawmakers at parliament, ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, in Athens, March 8, 2024. REUTERS/Louiza Vradi
Unrest in Athens Before Education Bill Vote
In central Athens, Greek students engaged in clashes with the police by throwing petrol bombs, prompting the use of tear gas hours before parliament was set to approve a bill that would permit foreign private universities to establish branches in the country.
Despite weeks of peaceful protests from thousands of students against the legislation, tensions escalated as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pushed for the bill’s passage, emphasizing its importance to lawmakers.
Sharing his concerns, 25-year-old Stratos Katselis expressed fear about the future employability of graduates due to potential devaluation of degrees from public universities, stating, “No young person today can make any kind of plan for the future. All we see are dead ends.”
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, already in his second term since June of the previous year, defended the bill by highlighting its aim to stem the outflow of Greek students to foreign universities, which has been negatively impacting the country’s post-financial crisis recovery.
Government’s Push for Educational Reforms
Mitsotakis argued that the legislation aligns Greece with European Union standards and promotes healthy competition within higher education, indicating potential benefits for economic growth.
With a strong majority in parliament, the conservative government is poised to pass the bill, targeting a comprehensive overhaul of the education system to foster growth and social equality, as per the prime minister’s assertions.
However, doubts persist among students, teachers, and university staff who believe the reforms may not address their concerns. Reports of a group of students breaking from the protests to engage in violent clashes with police further underscore the rift in opinions.
Aside from the education bill, the government has been active in other reform areas, including passing a same-sex marriage law in the recent past. Despite spending below the EU average on education, at 3%-4% of its annual economic output, the government intends to channel increased funding towards state universities, as stipulated in the bill.