In a show of solidarity, Greek public and private sector workers united in a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, causing disruptions across the country. The strike led to the suspension of public transport in the capital for several hours and left ferries connecting the islands to the mainland idle in port.
State-run hospitals experienced reduced staffing levels as medical workers joined the strike, while teachers also participated to demand the reinstatement of collective wage agreements that were cut back during Greece's financial crisis that began in 2010.
Journalists at Greek media outlets showed their support by holding a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, resulting in the suspension of all news broadcasts for the day to focus on covering Wednesday's general strike.
Protest marches were scheduled to take place in central Athens later in the day, as unions voiced their discontent with the center-right government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Critics accuse the government of failing to address issues such as inflation and housing policies, which have negatively impacted workers' living standards.
Greece's financial crisis, triggered by years of excessive spending that led to the country being shut out of international bond markets, resulted in a significant economic downturn. In exchange for international bailouts, Greece was required to implement unpopular reforms, including cuts to pensions and wages, leading to a rise in poverty and unemployment rates.
Despite the challenges, Greece has made strides in its economic recovery, experiencing growth and regaining investment-grade status. However, the country still grapples with the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the European Union.
