It’s early morning in Athens, less than 24 hours after one of Greece’s darkest days in recent times, and the mood on my northern suburb high street is sombre.
The morning papers at the periptero remind passers by, as if they needed reminding, of yesterday’s shameful events in central Athens.
What is clear is that the vast majority of the peaceful demonstrators who took to the streets of Athens yesterday, and will do again, feel themselves to be sacrificial pawns in the after-tremors of the Global Financial Crisis, victims of the speculators, and the mismanagement of others.
“Arson aimed to kill” runs the headline of Eleftherotypia. “The abyss and the responsibility” declares the bold text on Ta Nea’s front page.
A single word on the cover of the Expresso tabloid suffices – “Tragedy”.
The kiosk’s owner shrugs his shoulders when I ask him how he feels about what happened downtown.
“It’s difficult times for Greece”, is all he is prepared to share with me, as Athenians head for work.
Public transport will run today, unlike the last two days of paralysing strikes.
Others I’ve spoken to here are sad but also angry; asking how Greeks can kill their own, in a protest about a situation way beyond Greece’s own control.
What is clear is that the vast majority of the peaceful demonstrators who took to the streets of Athens yesterday, and will do again, feel themselves to be sacrificial pawns in the after-tremors of the Global Financial Crisis, victims of the speculators, and the mismanagement of others.
They feel the austerity measures are misconstrued, and do not target those guilty of having taken Greece to the economic precipice.
Once again, extremists, bent on violent confrontation infiltrated the crowds, ‘cover’, for their intentions to attack any symbol of authority and the capitalist state; the parliament, the nearest policeman, and a bank in Stadiou avenue.
Reaction to yesterday’s deadly violence came swiftly from Greece’s political opposition parties.
New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras spoke of the country experiencing “critical moments”, while expressing his grief and condolences for the victims of “fanaticism and blind violence.” Samaras reminded the Greek people that “the country has passed through worst times, and we must remain calm.”
In another show of national disunity and posturing, ND, the major opposition party vowed that they would abstain from the crucial parliamentary vote on new austerity measures which takes place today. Their position is irrelevant, as the government has the seats to get the vote through anyway.
From the extreme Left and Right, condolences and expressions of grief were mixed with unsavoury political point-scoring.
Communist Party leader Aleka Papariga was quick to blame “provocations” by ultra-rightist elements, who she claimed tried to storm the parliament.
Alexis Tsipras leader of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) when condemning the violence, added his party’s ideological polemic.
“We will not fall into the trap of dissension that is being set up against us. Every progressive citizen must expect such attacks, and we are ready to confront them now, when it has become clear who is favoured by the political-economic system that is reaching a dead end.”
From the extreme Right, Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) leader George Karatzaferis pleaded for self-restraint.
“Now, not only is our economy threatened, but our republic and constitution as well. Some people are banking on chaos, and today they received a bloody down-payment.” Such invective is hardly helpful.
Prime Minister Papandreou has promised that the perpetrators of yesterday’s atrocity will be identified and stand trial. He has called on all parliamentary parties “not to hide behind the decisions to save the country.”
Some hope. Already making political capital out of the situation, opposition statements ludicrously declare the Pasok government “a dictatorial regime” and that the constitution itself has been “insubordinated”.
Poisoning the political atmosphere with such irresponsible remarks is nothing new in Greece. It does of course, do no more than fan the flames.