Clashes as 25,000 protest tax hikes and spending cuts in Athens

Clashes briefly broke out between riot police and youths 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 by thousands as it passed outside parliament and threw Molotov cocktails at police who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.

Nearly 25,000 people had been participating in three separate demonstrations in Athens, protesting a new round of bailout-related tax hikes and spending cuts.

The 24-hour strike caused widespread disruption across Greece, with numerous public services shutting down.

The Athens metro and suburban railway shut down while bus and trolley routes were reduced and ferries remained tied up in port, severing connections between islands and the mainland. More than a dozen domestic flights were also cancelled.

A march by a Communist-backed union gathered around 15,000 people, while 4,000 or so participated in a labour union demonstration and another 5,000 joined in a protest organised by anti- establishment and anarchist groups.