ATHENS, Greece — Thousands of public sector employees, teachers, university students, and health workers shut down major streets across Greece on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, launching a nationwide strike to demand immediate government intervention against escalating living costs and underfunded public services.
The protests, centered in Athens and Thessaloniki, brought severe disruptions to urban centers as trade union confederations joined forces with student associations. Demonstrators marched toward the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square, demanding higher wages, increased rent subsidies, immediate hiring in public education and healthcare, and emergency measures to offset inflation.
The action was driven by deep dissatisfaction among public sector workers and students over the erosion of household purchasing power. Organizing bodies, including the public sector union ADEDY and national student alliances, pointed to skyrocketing rent prices and soaring utility bills that have outpaced wages.
Protesters dismissed recent government relief packages—including a proposed 120-euro monthly rent subsidy—as insufficient to cover basic housing expenses.
Greek police deployed over 3,000 officers in Athens to manage crowd movements and secure government buildings, while local businesses along major rally corridors closed steel shutters to prevent potential property damage.
Similar rallies and work stoppages were staged across Patras and other regional cities, shutting down schools, disrupting municipal services, and paralyzing transit routes.
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