Student tent protests spread across Athens and Thessaloniki as two-day mobilization begins

Student protests began in Athens and Thessaloniki as demonstrators set up tents in public squares, launching a two-day mobilization over high rents and education funding. The action is a symbolic protest against unaffordable student housing nationwide. In Syntagma Square, tents formed a makeshift camp ahead of Wednesday's nationwide education rallies. In Thessaloniki, students camped on Agias Sofias pedestrian street, with representatives citing chronic underfunding, poor infrastructure, and no seismic checks at Aristotle University for 25 years. One in two students reportedly struggles or drops out due to costs. Protesters demand a 500-euro housing allowance, rent caps, new dormitories, free meals and textbooks, seismic inspections, and increased university funding. Rallies are planned in over 50 cities, with teacher unions joining strikes. Five Thessaloniki metro stations will close Wednesday morning.