Support and criticism for ‘Indignant’ movement
Greece?s deputy prime minister Theodoros Pangalos has dismissed the significance of the country?s ?Indignant? movement as protesters in several European countries prepared to coordinate their action on Sunday.
?It is a movement without an ideology or organization, which bases itself on only one feeling, that of rage,? Pangalos told Ethnos newspaper.
Greece?s version of the ?Indignant? movement, protesting austerity measures and demanding that political systems are more in tune with citizens? needs, has led to thousands of people protesting in front or Parliament in Athens, as well as in other cities, every day since Wednesday. Some have started camping out overnight as well.
They are due to gather in Syntagma Square again from 6 p.m. on Sunday. Similar protest were due to be held in other European countries.
Famed Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis gave his public backing to the protesters and called for ?the government of shame? to go along with ?the politicians for destroying, plundering and subjugating Greece.?
The protesters also found an unlikely ally in Thessaloniki?s conservative bishop, Anthimos.
An MEP representing the centrist Democratic Alliance party, Theodoros Skylakakis said that the protesters would have to affect the political process if they want to have a real impact.
?These people have to become politicized and develop a greater political realization,? he told Skai TV. ?They have to progress from ?this is what I don?t like? to ?this is what I like?.?
Organizers posted a message on their Facebook page on Saturday calling for the messages of the protest to become more specific. Suggestions included demands for the International Monetary Fund to leave Greece, for Parliamentary immunity to be lifted and for audit commission to be set up to establish how the country?s debt was amassed.
