The shooting dead of a 15 year old boy Alexandros Grigoropolos has sparked off nationwide riots in Greece. There has been widespread violence and the riot police do not seem to be able to control it. Large groups of young people and specifically students are the main perpetrators many of them calling for the overthrow of the government. The 45,000 police officers are unable to contain the violence, however the military is not being called in. During the mid 70s Greece was run by a totalitarian military junta, since then civil disobedience is almost seen as justified in Greece. Any form of government force against civilians has since been seen as totalitarian behaviour.
Bearing in mind these riots are not rooted in this shooting alone. The deepening economic recession and dire social problems that have existed for decades as well as the hatred for a government that is seen as by many as inept and corrupt have all been factors.
The question is what should the government do? Should they step down? Should they hold another election? Should they reform or should they call in the army to deal with the situation?
Here is a link to bbc news with a video showing just how serious it is:
For one thing that is an oversimplification. For another thing no they really don't. Greece is traditionally quite a right wing country. Especially agfter the Greek civil war involving the communists and the royalists in which many atrocities were committed by the former, left wing parties are very unpopular still. I belive it is more of an outcry against the current administration rather than their position on the political spectrum.
I see news travel quickly.These guys are crazy,they just wanna make a mess in Greece.I know know it is like.I live in Greece and the students were just a few miles away from my house.The government is stupid,they won't do anything.My friends and I say the government must call in the army.The situation is quite bad and they are not doing it because of the 15year old' s death,because if they cared about him,they wouldn't do these things.
I see news travel quickly.These guys are crazy,they just wanna make a mess in Greece.I know know it is like.I live in Greece and the students were just a few miles away from my house.The government is stupid,they won't do anything.My friends and I say the government must call in the army.The situation is quite bad and they are not doing it because of the 15year old' s death,because if they cared about him,they wouldn't do these things.
Not really....I agree with you on most of those thoughts. BUT, the government sending out troops, would just make it a lot worse. I mean the students, then thinking that there in danger, would panic, and attempt lot's of things, such as robbiers, and become more violent, to "rotect" themselves from the Military. This would cause more chaos, and would put the government in between a hard spot.
I mean they eaither bring in the military and try to resolve this, but at the same time, be veiwed by the rest of the nation...I mean they did shoot the boy, so the milatary being there might begin to degrade the supposed "saftey" of the citizins..
Many people would be against the use of the military against its citizens due to the Junta in the 70s, but, many innocent peoples livelihoods are being affecyted. Something like 200 buildings have been damaged with 40 buildings on fire.
Hell we need more of that in Britain too, the stiff upper lip culture annoys me. No one complains about anything. Its so much fun going to see my relatives in Greece, they are constantly arguing.
yeah i readed but why they use violence because someone get killed by the police? than he just done something bad...
i think it not a reason to getting against the police
Mainly because by many the police in Greece are seen as thugs and corrupt and have been for a long time. This shooting just sparked off animosity that has been under the surface for a long time.
