Violence erupts at Greece protest against budget cuts

The rally of 30,000 in the capital yesterday was part of a general strike in Greece that crippled services and public transport around the country.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters, blanketing parts of the city centre in choking smoke, and sending thousands of peaceful demonstrators to side streets to take cover. A police officer was caught in a petrol bomb attack and his uniform caught fire as his motorcycle burned in the city’s main Syntagma Square.

At least two people were injured and another three arrested. One group of rioting youths smashed paving stones in front of the central Bank of Greece, but there were no immediate reports of any serious damage.

The rally had been calm before the clashes. Protesters marched to parliament as the city centre was heavily policed. A brass band, tractors and cyclists joined in.

It was part of Greece’s first major labour protest this year as Prime Minister George Papandreou faces international pressure to make more lasting cuts after the nation’s debt-crippled economy was rescued from bankruptcy by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

The 24-hour strike halted trains, ferries and most public transport across the country, and led to the cancellation of more than 100 flights at Athens International Airport. The strike also the closed the Acropolis and other major tourist sites.

State hospital doctors, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, lawyers and tax collectors joined school teachers, journalists and thousands of small businesses as more middle-class groups took part than have in the past. Athens’ main shopping district was mostly empty as many small business owners shuttered stores.

Unions are angry at the ongoing austerity measures put in place by the Socialist government in exchange for a 110bn euro (£93bn) bailout loan package from European countries and the International Monetary Fund.

Stathis Anestis, deputy leader of Greece’s largest union, the GSEE, said: “We are facing long-term austerity with high unemployment and destabilising our social structure. What is increasing is the level of anger and desperation.”