This morning at dawn riot police entered the ERT premises, the Greek public broadcaster. The Samaras government tries to end the struggle of ERT workers who, supported by the Greek population, defend since June 11th, democracy and pluralism of the media in their country.

The Greek government, who will assume the presidency of the European Union on January 1st, just committed a new act against democracy, both pursuing the closure of ERT and attempting to criminalize trade union action by workers.

In Greece, as elsewhere in Europe, austerity threatens democracy. The EL reminds that the brutal choice of the Samaras government to close the Greek public broadcaster was made following a visit of the Troika which required further cuts. The EL reminds also that two days ago, the two-party government offered a gift to private channel owners of granting new digital licences free of charge.

The EL calls for the withdrawal of police forces and the reopening of the Greek public broadcaster. It brings its support to the ERT employees on strike since June 11th, struggling to maintain a public information service and preservation of ERT group, the demonstrators who flocked to the ERT headquarters this morning and trade union and political forces who struggle daily in Greece, for democracy against the destruction of labour law, against attacks on union rights.

Party of the European Left

November 7, 2013