Greece bans protests during EU presidency ceremony

Greek authorities have imposed an 18-hour ban on protest rallies throughout central Athens in preparation of events planned for the inauguration of the country’s six-month presidency of the European Union.

Over 2,500 police officers in riot gear were deployed around the capital’s Concert Hall early Wednesday morning, hours before EU commissioners, led by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, attend the inauguration ceremonies.

A similar protest ban was imposed in the Greek capital last year during a visit to Athens by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

Despite the heavy police presence, however, one left-wing protest group has vowed to defy the ban on rallies.

“The European Union and the European Central Bank are continuing to tighten the noose around our necks, demanding that staff be fired at public hospitals and state schools,” said protest organizer Petros Constantinou, who is planning to lead a protest rally in central Athens.

“No one will be fooled by the [inauguration] party they are planning,” he added.

Meanwhile, Greece hopes to emerge from an arduous, six-year recession during its EU presidency and negotiate a landmark deal with bailout creditors to make its massive national debt sustainable.

Moreover, Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said the country may negotiate the debt deal before the conclusion of its EU presidency on June 30.

“If we stick to our basic timetable, I do believe these decisions will be made during our term in the presidency,” he said.

This is while Greece’s national debt is set to reach 176 percent of its gross domestic product this year amid an economy weakened by years of austerity measures and recession.