Greek general strike: Petrol bombs and teargas during anti-austerity protest - as it happened
Youths throw Molotov cocktails in Athens, as thousands protest against the 'vicious cycle' of austerity in Greece during the first general strike since Alexis Tsipras became PM
- Closing summary
- Photos: How the protests unfolded
- Clashes in Athens
- AFP: Youths vandalise shops
- Protesters: We face a tragic future
4.47pm GMT
OK, it's time for a recap after a fairly dramatic day.
The first general strike since Alexis Tsipras took power in Greece has been marred by isolated violence in Athens.
"The situation is tragic and soon when the government pushes us more on the tax front, more on the cuts front it won't be good natured at all.
"I am protesting against the government because they are making fools of us. I am a pensioner and I have no idea what my pension will be."
"We are implementing an agreement which includes (bailout) measures which are unfair."
#Greece gov saying it hopes to conclude negotiations with creditors by Saturday so that 2 bn loan & bank recap funds can b unlocked
4.03pm GMT
We're hearing that petrol bombs were thrown at the headquarters of the left-wing Pasok party in downtown Athens, and that no-one was hurt.
About 10 people, around 4.30 pm, threw Molotov cocktails in front of PASOK offices, in the area of ""Exarchia #12ngr
3.39pm GMT
Greece's unions are declaring today's general strike a success.
"As industrial action goes it was very successful. We estimate at least 65% and perhaps as much as 70% participated. Rallies in regional towns outside Athens was especially high."
3.25pm GMT
These photos show how the anti-austerity demonstration in Athens began in a good-hearted, peaceful fashion, before a group of extremists clashed with riot police:
2.45pm GMT
Not everyone in Greece backs today's general strike, reports Helena Smith.
Those in the private sector, now generating most of the country's wealth, are furious at what they regard as the indulged antics of pampered public sector workers widely seen as the root cause of Greece's economic woes.
"Every time there are strikes and rallies it messes up the market."
"The Greek public sector serves not the interests of our society but the interests of public sector employees, both by the extraction of favourable employment terms and the absolute lack of effective management (including any form of evaluation."
2.23pm GMT
Tear gas and petrol bombs are not what you hope for during a holiday.
So Katie Wallace, from Glasgow, had an unpleasant surprise today when the violence kicked off in Athens.
Trust us to be like 50yards away #wrongplacewrongtime https://t.co/IPA1jkkpnh
@graemewearden Bit shaken thrown out of cafe as soon as first petrol bomb went off but swiftly made our way bk to hotel #tothebar Thank u
2.09pm GMT
We now have video footage of today's clashes:
1.33pm GMT
Not every young person in Greece went round chucking petrol bombs today.
In the city of Patras, school students led a protest march against the new austerity measures which include budget cuts to education.
1.25pm GMT
The small group of protesters behind today's violence have moved back to the Exharchia region of downtown Athens, leaving quite a mess behind:
#Greece gen strike "anti-establishment" protestors have receded to Exharchia after disrupting protest rallies marking 2day's gen strike
#Greece same depressing site of smashed bus stands, flaming rubbish bins, smashed shops/bank/marble steps at end of otherwise peaceful rally
1.00pm GMT
More photos of the clashes which broke out earlier are coming in:
1.00pm GMT
Greece's prime minister may not see the protests in Athens first-hand.
He's attending the EU/Africa summit on migration in Malta today, where he's shared a joke with German chancellor Angela Merkel.
12.38pm GMT
Petrol bombs have also been thrown at the offices of the National Bank of Greece.
#Athens #now #generalstrikegr attack against the National Bank of Greece #apergia pic.twitter.com/KI2PW2UVHw
Video showing petrol bombs thrown at entrance of #Greece's central bank in #Athens during rally https://t.co/tS5kYhHLU0 via @naftemporikigr
12.31pm GMT
(Expensive looking) Shoe shop targeted by violent protesters #Greece pic.twitter.com/wde8D2wtcv
12.29pm GMT
The AFP newswire has more details about how the violence unfolded one hour ago:
As the demonstration kicked off, scores of youths began vandalising shops, bus stops and traffic lights, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.
The violence began when around 150 youths attacked police stationed in front of a row of luxury hotels on central Syntagma square, then quickly retreated.
12.21pm GMT
This video appears to show the OTE van which was hit by a petrol bomb today (see earlier post).
Despite being burned out, the van's windscreen wipers are still defiantly working.
#12ngr #apergia pic.twitter.com/cUU0SVQx6I
12.11pm GMT
#Greece gen strike: burning road blocs and burning van now focus of clashes as youths mar otherwise peaceful protests rallies in #Athens
12.07pm GMT
Another photo of the moment that petrol bombs were thrown in Athens:
Petrol bombs +stones hurled to riot cops in Syntagma. Cops throw stun grenades+ chemicals pic.twitter.com/pAGj3AN5HQ @MakisSinodinos @doleross
12.06pm GMT
The clashes have now moved from Syntagma Square to nearby Omonia Square.
12.02pm GMT
Here's a video clip of this morning's demonstrations:
11.56am GMT
Clashes briefly break out during Athens demonstration for general strike. Some Molotovs, tear gas. #Greece
11.55am GMT
Associated Press reports that the petrol bombs were thrown by a group of 'youths', triggering a predictable response from the riot police:
Clashes have broken out between riot police and youths at a demonstration in central Athens during the first general strike since the country's left-led government initially came to power in January.
Youths broke away from a protest march Thursday, throwing Molotov cocktails at police who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
11.51am GMT
#Greece general strike plumes of black smoke wafting over central Athens skyline after clashes in front of Greek parliament
11.51am GMT
The protests had been proceeding peacefully, before the (sadly familiar) sight of petrol bombs and tear gas in Athens.
AP's Derek Gatopoulos reports that the violence was "limited", and that some paving stones in Syntagma Square were broken up too:
(Limited) violence at strike demo. Paving stones smashed, tear gas #Greece pic.twitter.com/SpTwctJgxV
11.47am GMT
Here's Reuters early report from the Greek capital:
Greek police fired tear gas to disperse anti-austerity protesters hurling petrol bombs in central in Athens on Thursday.
Earlier, thousands took to the streets to protest against EU/IMF-imposed austerity measures in the first nationwide strike called by Greece's main public and private sector unions since leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras came to power in January.
11.46am GMT
Some demonstrators are now reforming into groups, as the situation calms down.
11.41am GMT
The demonstrators who had been protesting peacefully outside the Greek parliament are now leaving quickly, as scores of riot police clear the area.
11.36am GMT
Explosions are suddenly ringing out across the Greek capital.
11.27am GMT
Another group of demonstrators just arrived at Syntagma Square, to join the large group of banner-waving protesters already outside the parliament building:
11.15am GMT
Athens police reckon that around 24,000 people have taken to the streets in the capital, according to AP's Elena Becatoros:
Police figures: About 24,000 people in 3 separate protest marches in Athens as part of general #strike. #Greece pic.twitter.com/u0FODaAXJl
11.10am GMT
Twitter user Joanna P is tweeting photos from the protests in the city of Thessaloniki, including shots of riot police:
People have taken to the streets in Thessaloniki too amid the 1st general strike under #Syriza led gov pic.twitter.com/O3328CJAOu @alterthess
At least 30 police motorcycles & 5 riot squads behind anarchist groups in Thessaloniki pic.twitter.com/GBSzzhPJae @alterthess #12ngr #strike
Baloon reads "Alexis Words". I guess it implies that #Tsipras does a lot of air talking pic.twitter.com/YGyYm2HeyQ @sapienchia #12ngr #strike
10.51am GMT
Russia Today are carrying a live TV feed from Athens.
It currently shows groups of protesters with banners massing at Syntagma Square, outside the Greek parliament.
10.32am GMT
It looks like a solid turnout in Athens, and a peaceful protest too:
Protesters march past parliament during first general #strike under SYRIZA-led government. #Greece pic.twitter.com/n2sos82GtR
10.20am GMT
Thousands of people have now gathered in Syntagma Square, the site of the Athens parliament, to protest against the third Greek bailout package:
#Greece: Thousands in front of the Parliament now for the general #strike pic.twitter.com/jz9whwKEtz
10.18am GMT
Pame trade unionists have also managed to draw big crowds to a well-attended rally in the northern Greek capital of Thessaloniki.
"The time has now come to take matters into our hands, to wage war to avert a new crime.
No submission to defeatism, fatalism, the logic that nothing can happen."
10.15am GMT
Dimitris Karageorgopoulos, press secretary of the GSEE union, has told CNBC that the Greek government cannot backtrack on its pledges to ease austerity:
Before the elections, there were some promises to society. If the tactic of the government is 'whatever we said, holds no more', they will find the workforce in front of them.
We owe it to our families, our pensioners, and the young people who are leaving Greece. We can't take this anymore. Not just the measures, but being fooled".
My latest update on the #Greekeconomy, as #Greece's #Tsipras faces general strike https://t.co/Qj6STmxGbU
10.09am GMT
Kathimerini's cartoonist has taken a pop at prime minister Alexis Tsipras, over Syriza's support for today's protests:
Cartoon https://t.co/h54J3zO77j pic.twitter.com/WMbOhWmfmh
9.54am GMT
When it comes to an organised protest, you can't beat Greece's PAME union:
9.49am GMT
Associated Press confirms that public services have shut down across Greece today, in the first general strike since Syriza won power in January.
Public transport was severely disrupted, with the Athens metro not running, bus and trolley routes reduced and ferries tied up in port, severing connections between islands and the mainland. The strike shut down museums, schools and pharmacies, while state hospitals were functioning with emergency staff.
More than a dozen domestic flights were canceled, while journalists also walked off the job, pulling news bulletins off the air except to report on the strike. News websites were not being updated, while no Friday newspapers were to be printed.
Here's @AP story on #Greece's general strike https://t.co/pDiB67oXGw pic.twitter.com/lbxp2MjWMr
9.46am GMT
Rail travellers are also out of luck:
9.40am GMT
Members of PAME, the Communist-affiliated union, are now marching through Athens:
9.38am GMT
Syriza's decision to publicly support today's strike is being widely commented on in Athens, and abroad:
#Greece gen strike: so far good-natured & much hilarity that governing #Syriza party in surreal move also supporting the walk-out!
Today in Greece, #Syriza has called for a 24hr general strike against the austerity measures imposed by #Syriza. We do have fun. #Greece
It's all about who is really in charge - eurozone rules the province once known as the Hellenic Republic https://t.co/gOgl1ChS8E
9.30am GMT
Mario Draghi's defence of the eurozone's austerity programmes is being challenged by MEPs from Ireland:
Irish MEP flips back Draghi's phrasing - 'The ECB wasn't a firefighter in our crisis. It was one of the arsonists'
9.24am GMT
Protestors representing the country's two biggest unions in both the public and private sector are converging on Klafmonos square in central Athens now for today's protest rally
"The situation is tragic and soon when the government pushes us more on the tax front, more on the cuts front it won't be good natured at all.
"Everyone I know is dreading this winter. We are caught up in a vicious cycle, the government knows that, the people know that, the Europeans know it too. All my friends who supported Syriza are beginning to leave en masse. It's scary."
"Every month my pension has been cut by 50 euro or more and the government expects me to keep coughing up more in taxes."
9.21am GMT
Tourists hoping to visit the legendary Acropolis in Athens today are in for disappointment. It's closed today, as staff take part in the walkout:
9.18am GMT
Back in Greece, government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili has denied that Syriza is wrong to support today's protests against the bailout programme it signed up to.
Reuters has the details:
The party has said it will implement its side of the bargain with lenders, but has long maintained that the bailout terms are excessively harsh.
"We are implementing an agreement which includes (bailout) measures which are unfair," Gerovasili said.
9.05am GMT
9.03am GMT
It's wrong to blame the European Central Bank for the austerity misery suffered by bailed-out eurozone members, Mario Draghi claims.
Since 2010, three countries have now successfully completed their programmes, and Ireland is a particularly good example of how such programmes can deliver the necessary adjustment and restore financial stability, economic competitiveness and fiscal sustainability. It has shown that a country which takes strong ownership of its programme can come out of it with robust growth and a more stable financial system, and that eventually employment will also rebound.
There is no doubt that the adjustment process was painful. But we should keep in mind that the adjustment would have caused significantly more hardship in the absence of financial assistance. The programmes had to address excessive macroeconomic imbalances which had accumulated over several years in the run-up to the crisis, often reflecting misguided national economic policies.
#Draghi on harshness of euro-area bailout programs: "don't blame the fire damage on the fire brigade" https://t.co/TzQ4hV3Oc5
Draghi: Let's not forget that Ireland's banking crisis was "entirely home-made"
8.48am GMT
#Draghi talks, the euro tanks. Now below 1.07, new 7-month low.
8.47am GMT
European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi has begun testifying to the European Parliament, and sent the euro falling.
Draghi began by warning that the eurozone faces clear 'downside risks' from the global economy, and weakening inflation pressure too.
Euro draghid lower as #ECB's Draghi sees downside econ risks. pic.twitter.com/MyFQYuc7m4
Downside risks stemming from global growth and trade are clearly visible.
Moreover, inflation dynamics have somewhat weakened, mainly due to lower oil prices and the delayed effects of the stronger euro exchange rate seen earlier in the year. In addition, price pressures - such as from producer prices - remain very subdued.
#Draghi At our December monetary policy meeting, we will re-examine the degree of monetary policy accommodation #ECB #QE
ECB's Draghi: QE would run beyond end-September 2016 if needed
8.32am GMT
Today's walkout could be the start of a winter of discontent in Greece.
Unions are vowing to intensify the pressure against further austerity measures being implemented, arguing that Greek citizens cannot take any more.
"The winter is going to be explosive and this will mark the beginning," said Grigoris Kalomoiris, a leading member of the civil servants' union Adedy.
"When the average wage has already been cut by 30%, when salaries are already unacceptably low, when the social security system is at risk of collapse, we cannot sit still," he said.
Related: 'Our rage will be relentless': Syriza faces mass strike in Greece
8.31am GMT
Back in the City, shares in UK engineering group Rolls-Royce have plunged by a fifth at the start of trading.
Related: Rolls-Royce share price plunges after latest profit warning
8.12am GMT
All Greece's public services, including tax offices and utilities, are due to be closed today to mark the general strike:
Public hospitals will be operating with skeleton staff. Pharmacists, doctors, teachers and bank employees will also walk off the job.
The Athens metro will be shut throughout the day, as will the Proastiakos suburban railway and intercity trains. The Kifissia-Piraeus electric railway (ISAP) will only operate between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Buses in the capital will be out of service before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. There will be no ferry connections between the mainland and the islands as the Panhellenic Seamens' Federation (PNO) is also joining in the strike. Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air have announced flight cancellations for Thursday.
8.01am GMT
Belgium's finance minister has just blasted Greece's ruling party for backing today's general strike, against a bailout it signed up to.
Johan Van Overtveldt tweeted that the move "strange and dangerous", at a time when Athens should be racing to meet its bailout targets.
Strange & dangerous logic in Athens: Syriza organises strike against program its own government pledges to execute. Sense of urgency needed.
7.58am GMT
In what may be a first for the eurozone, today's general strike is actually supported by the ruling party, Alexis Tsipras's Syriza coalition.
Yesterday Syriza's Labor Policy Department called on all workers, unemployed, pensioners and students to join the general strike on Thursday.
#greek general strike is supported by the key Government party against the measures of which it is targeted. #oxymoron #surreal
7.40am GMT
Today's walkout is the first general strike to hit Greece under prime minister Alexis Tsipras's leadership:
It will be a new experience for the left-wing leader, as Bloomberg reports:
As Greek workers take to the streets in protest on Thursday, Alexis Tsipras will for the first time be on the other side of the barricades.
Unions -- a key support base for the prime minister's Syriza party -- will chant the same slogans Tsipras once used against opponents. Doctors and pharmacists will join port workers, civil servants and Athens metro staff in Greece's first general strike since he took office in January, bringing the country to a standstill for 24 hours.
Greece comes to a standstill as general strike sees unions turn against PM https://t.co/8rVybGgsqr pic.twitter.com/K7vrR5WVH2
7.26am GMT
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Plenty of Fed speakers today: #Yellen,Evans, #Lacker, #Dudley.First peep from Yellen since last week's #payroll blockbuster. @newsdotmarkets
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