“We claim our rights, we do not beg” protesting active and retired non-commissioned officers of the Greek Armed Forces said on Sept. 12 as they demonstrated in downtown Athens, following a wave of other demonstrations by other public workers upset with another round of coming austerity measures.
It was the first time that the military took part, with their salaries by 6.5-7.5 percent set to be slashed too as part of plans to cut $796.8 million in defense spending as part of $14.6 billion in overall reductions demanded by international lenders in return for rescue loans. Most other workers have already seen cuts of 30 percent or more. The new round of cuts would be retroactive to July 1.
The rally was reportedly attended by some 1,000 people and Lt. Colonel A. Tsoukarakis, representing the protesters, submitted a resolution to the Finance Ministry denouncing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. A number of Members of Parliament from the main opposition party SYRIZA and the Independent Greeks also participated. Greek media reported Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras would meet with the officers on Sept. 13.
The protesters and their families vividly expressed their increasing dissatisfaction and unrest against the government’s policies of pay cuts, tax hikes and slashed pensions while tax evaders continue to largely escape sacrifice. Some of the participants wore their uniforms and lashed out against Greek political leaders.
Tsoukarakis said that the officers will join forces with other citizens demanding their rights and a cessation of the brutal austerity measures, although lenders said they are needed because Greece has hundreds of thousands of unnecessary workers. They accused the government of trying to turn the Greek people into beggars..
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