Top Greek politician tear gassed while giving speech

Giorgos Papandreou - Γιώργος Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Giorgos Papandreaou, leader of Greece’s opposition in parliament was tear gassed during a speech in the Greek port of Pireaus this morning.Papandreau, head of the PASOK party was addressing protesting farmers from Crete when riot police fired tear gas into the crowds following clashes between a small group of protesters and the police.



More than 2000 farmers arrived from the Greek island yesterday along with hundreds of tractors in order to march on parliament in protest against the present conservative government’s agricultural policies. However, authorities refused to allow the march which led to use of clashes and two arrests. Although the blockade of the country’s main highways by farmers has eased off over the last day Greece’s land crossings with neighbouring Bulgaria are still closed to most traffic.

Framers responded to yesterday's scenes of violence between farmers and police near Athens by blockading roads in Crete's main cities and occupying government buildings. In addition another 100 farmers and tractors arrived in Pireaus this morning to support those already present.

In common with many other European countries, Greece has experienced a wave of rioting and often violent demonstrations over the last two months as people unhappy with the government’s handling of major issues took to the streets.

Athens, Riga, Paris, Reykjavik and other capitals have been the scenes of sometimes unprecedented clashes between disgruntled citizens and police.

To see video of the event from tvxs.gr clickr here.

Giorgos Papandreou

Giorgos Papandreou, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

"Georgios Papandreou (Greek: Γιώργος Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου) (born June 16, 1952), Greek of Greek-American origin, has been leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party since February 2004. "The son and grandson of Greek prime ministers, he was Minister for National Education and Religious Affairs two times (1988-1989 and 1994-1996) and Minister of the Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2004. In 2006 he became President of the Socialist International"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Papandreou_(junior)

This was taken less than two hours ago when Papandreou was speaking to reporters in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki.