Thousands of workers in Greece staged a nationwide 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, protesting against surging living costs, inadequate wages, and a worsening housing crisis. The strike coincided with the government’s submission of its 2025 budget, aiming to pressure authorities into addressing long-standing economic grievances.
The strike, organized by major labour unions, brought public transport to a standstill and left ferries stranded in ports. Demonstrations drew approximately 12,000 people to Athens and another 5,000 to Thessaloniki.
Protesters criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government for failing to address inflation and the housing shortage, which have eroded living standards. “The government cannot waste millions on military spending while ignoring the struggles of its people,” one protester told Euronews.
Union representatives demanded wage increases, collective labour agreements, and stronger policies to tackle the housing crisis, particularly affecting younger generations. Medical workers, teachers, and other public employees joined the strike, highlighting the impact of a decade of austerity measures stemming from Greece’s financial crisis.
“Our incomes remain stuck in the bailout era, while prices keep rising,” said Yannis Panagopoulos, leader of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece, the country’s largest private-sector union. “We need real solutions to survive.”
Greece’s financial crisis, which began in 2010, saw the country implement unpopular reforms, including pension cuts and wage freezes, in exchange for international bailouts. While the economy has since recovered and regained investment-grade status, the benefits have not reached many workers, leaving the country with the EU’s highest debt-to-GDP ratio and widespread economic discontent.
The strike underscores mounting pressure on the government to address systemic issues that continue to impact everyday Greeks despite broader economic recovery.