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Greek lawmakers approved sweeping reforms early on Saturday that will end the state monopoly on university education, breaking what powerful left-wing student groups have long regarded as a major taboo.
Hours before the vote, which began Friday evening and ended after midnight, protesters attacked police outside parliament with petrol bombs and firecrackers as some 18,000 people demonstrated in central Athens against the proposed legislation.
Police charged a few dozen violent demonstrators and fired tear gas. A police statement said nine members of the public and seven officers were injured, while three suspected rioters were arrested.
Friday's rally followed weeks of demonstrations that included scores of university building occupations by students. Nevertheless, opinion polls indicate that most Greeks agree with the creation of privately-run universities.
Lawmakers present in the 300-seat parliament voted 159-129 in favour of the bill. Announcement of the result was delayed until after midnight by three lawmakers from a small left-wing party, who remained seated and studied a printout of the draft law for over two hours after everyone else had cast their ballots and left. The party had earlier said it would vote against the bill.
Greece’s centre-right government has argued that the reform would help attract skilled workers back to the country.
“We must say a resounding ‘yes’ to this measure … as a guarantee of greater freedom and greater access to knowledge for all Greek students,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament ahead of the vote.
At Friday's rally – which was mostly peaceful – the students were joined by a small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and marchers from an event marking International Women's Day.
“This government wants to privatise everything ... but at the same time, the cost of living is going up and up and our wages remain pitiful,” Anna Adamidi, a philosophy student, told Associated Press. “The private sector comes in and dismantles public (education), making use of resources that they will pay nothing for.”
Opposition parties were broadly against the bill, arguing that it violates the constitution and could create a two-tier system for students.
Education reforms in Greece are often politically charged, with university activism historically linked to pro-democracy movements but also later used as a refuge for violent protest groups.
Although some private higher education is already legal in Greece, the new law would make degrees from vetted private institutions equivalent to public universities. Overseas universities would be allowed to open branches in Greece using a non-profit status, despite charging tuition fees.
More than 650,000 students are currently enrolled at state-run universities in Greece and an additional 40,000 are studying abroad, according to Education Ministry officials who briefed lawmakers before this week’s debate.
The Mitsotakis government, early in its second term and with a huge lead in opinion polls, has carried out several major reforms in recent weeks, including legalising same-sex marriage and introducing a postal vote for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
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On Friday, the judo family celebrated International Women’s Day, a day to honor the remarkable contributions of women around the globe. It’s a call to action for gender equality, to challenge bias, and to Inspire Inclusion.
Before the final block, opening speeches were given by the Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer; Director General of the International Judo Federation, Vlad MARINESCU; President of Austrian Judo Federation, Martin Poiger and Markus Achleitner, Minister for Economy and Sports of Upper Austria, who also welcomed the judo family to Linz.
An amazing performance from Serbia’s Marica PERISIC deep into golden score, saw her eventually claim the win over Julie BEURSKENS to take -57kg gold.
Awarding the medals was Upper Austria Governor Thomas STELZER.
At -48kg, Mitsuki KONDO of Japan defeated her compatriot Wakana INAGAKI to take her first medal on the World Judo Tour.
Director General of the International Judo Federation Vlad MARINESCU awarded the medals.
At -60kg, Spain’s reigning world champion and world ranked number one, Francisco GARRIGOS, saw off the challenge of Frenchman Cedric REVOL. Throwing for waza-ari before securing a vice-like pin to take the title.
Upper Austria Minister of Economy & Sports Markus ACHLEITNER was on hand to award the medals.
“It’s my first time here in Austria,” said Garrigos. “Everything was great, I’d really like to come here again next year.”
Larissa PIMENTA and Binta NDIAYE contested the -52kg final. It was the Brazilian Pimenta who succeeded in throwing for ippon and was absolutely delighted
Awarding the medals was IJF General Treasurer Naser AL TAMIMI.
“I love the energy here,” said Pimenta. “There was one time in the final after the osae-komi when the kids were all cheering for me, it gave me so much strength”.
Keita HADANO of Japan took the gold medal at -66kg finally countering Israel’s Baruch SHMAILOV in golden score
Israel Judo Association President Moshe PONTI awarded the medals.
This amazing ippon from Vache ADAMYAN was the standout technique of the day - what an inspiration for the local fans!
Join us again on Saturday for more judo action from Linz, the heart of a region celebrated for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.
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The event, first celebrated in 1911, traces its roots to the early struggles for equal pay and votes for women.
On Women's Day in Italy, a nationwide general strike for women's rights is underway, organised by most trade unions across the political spectrum. Sectors such as schools, healthcare, and other industries are participating in the strike, with minor disruptions reported in regional train services, while long-distance transport remains operational.
In major Italian cities including Rome and Milan, marches organised by unions and women's associations advocate for equal treatment of male and female workers and call for more robust policies against gender-based violence and femicide.
In Paris, supporters gathered to witness the formal inclusion of a woman's right to abortion in the French constitution, a measure recently approved by lawmakers despite restrictions on abortion access in other countries like the United States.
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In Lebanon, a demonstrator carried a handmade sign linking the struggle for equal rights to the conflict in Gaza, highlighting the toll of violence on women, with Palestinian health officials reporting thousands of female casualties in months of fighting.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, protesters raised awareness about the rising number of femicides, emphasizing the alarming trend of women being killed because of their gender.
The complex narrative of progress and ongoing challenges was succinctly expressed by a banner displayed on the streets of Pamplona, Spain, which read, "So much has been achieved. There is so much to achieve."