Thousands protest against Greek right-wing government



THESSALONIKI - More than 10,000 people joined demonstrations here Saturday against the country's conservative government, police said, just days after the announcement of new elections.
Some 2,500 police officers were mobilised to prevent any disburbances at three separate rallies organised by unions and some far-left groups.



Thousands protest against Greek right-wing government
The GSEE, Greece's largest labour union with 600,000 members, issued a statement protesting against the conservatives' economic and social policies, citing "lay-offs, rising unemployment, choking taxation... privatisations, attacks on social benefits and the destruction of the environment".
The protesters, carrying signs saying "the government and the banks sell off the country", rallied at the Thessaloniki international fair which Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis opened Saturday morning, an event held every September.
On Thursday Karamanlis called early legislative elections on October 4, ending weeks of speculation about the future of his hard-pressed government as Greece faces tough economic times.
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Sunday, September 6th 2009
AFP
           


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