Athens students camp in Syntagma Square over housing and living costs

Students from various universities across Athens have established a protest camp in Syntagma Square to demonstrate against the rising cost of living and the housing crisis. The mobilization, organized by several student associations, includes overnight camping, rallies toward the Ministry of Finance, and musical performances.

Key demands from the protesters include a cap on rents, an increase in housing allowances, and the removal of academic criteria for financial aid. They are also calling for free housing for first-year students, the renovation and expansion of student dormitories, and emergency funding for universities to cover operational costs such as heating.

Protesters highlighted the extreme difficulty of balancing studies with survival, noting that high costs for electricity, food, and transportation are forcing many to consider abandoning their education. The movement draws inspiration from similar youth protests in France and Spain, emphasizing a broader European struggle for accessible public education and social welfare.