The decision to close the public television station ERT has unleashed a wave of protests throughout Greece, which is now at a standstill due to a 24-hour general strike.
In addition to journalists from private television and radio and from the press, in solidarity with ERT colleagues, public transport and public office workers in particular will cross their arms.
In the afternoon, between 15 and 17 pm, the air traffic controllers will go on strike, creating inconvenience and delays also for international flights, while domestic flights are at risk for the entire five hours in which employees will cross their arms, starting at noon of civil aviation. A reduced service is expected for trains, buses and the Athens Metro. Tax offices, schools and reduced staff in hospitals were also closed.
The unpopular decision of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is creating tensions within the executive, so much so that recourse to a vote of confidence is envisaged.
Meanwhile Samaras claims the validity of the decision taken with these words: “We will create a new television, in line with contemporary models – Those who are resisting do not support state television, they support the ERT of the past. We are getting rid of an entity that is not transparent and full of waste and some people are annoyed because they want us to continue on this path, with a lack of transparency and waste”.
However, the journalists on strike countered this accusation, recalling how "Everyone knows that the Government decides who will become managers and the management chooses and makes decisions linked to political favours".
Currently with the analog and digital signal cut off, the ERT is transmitting only via the internet.
