ATHENS — German Chancellor Angela Merkel was flying to Athens on Tuesday for a visit apparently aimed at cementing Germany’s support for Greece’s efforts to impose the austerity needed to keep the country in the euro zone.
Ms. Merkel was to meet with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, President Karolos Papoulias and with Greek and German entrepreneurs on a six-hour visit expected to be accompanied by public protests.
Anxious to give Europe’s most powerful leader a warm and safe reception, Greek authorities are mounting the biggest security operation since 1999 when then-President Bill Clinton visited Athens amid furious protests at NATO airstrikes against the former Yugoslavia.
The fragile coalition government, embroiled in difficult talks with Greece’s so-called troika of foreign lenders on a 13.5 billion euro austerity package, is eager to contain public anger at Germany, widely regarded as pushing Greece to impose more pain on its citizens in exchange for rescue funding.
Some 7,000 police officers, many brought to the capital from the provinces for the day, will be on standby along with rooftop snipers and protests have been banned in much of downtown Athens. Security will be particularly heavy outside the Parliament and the German Embassy. The police may resort to the use of water cannons if rallies get out of hand.
Civil servants, including teachers and doctors, are walking off the job for a three hours starting at noon to protest Ms. Merkel’s visit and have prepared banners reading “Don’t cry for us Mrs. Merkel” and “Merkel you are not welcome here” to wield during rallies.
Daily speculation in the local media about the outcome of Greek negotiations with the troika, aimed at securing a 31.5 billion euro loan without which the country faces default in late November, was eclipsed on Tuesday by anticipation of the German leader’s visit.
Headlines in center-right newspapers read, “A message of support,” “A decisive visit by Merkel” and “We are staying in the euro.” Others, more skeptical, declared “Merkel is bringing no gifts” and “A day of anger.”
This anger was echoed by a nurse heading into the center to join fellow protesters. “This is pure provocation, we have to answer back,” said Christina Amanti, 37. “It’s like she’s visiting her protectorate. What’s she going to do, pat us on the back and tell us to keep getting poorer, that it’s good for us?”
Ms. Merkel was to meet with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, President Karolos Papoulias and with Greek and German entrepreneurs on a six-hour visit expected to be accompanied by public protests.
Anxious to give Europe’s most powerful leader a warm and safe reception, Greek authorities are mounting the biggest security operation since 1999 when then-President Bill Clinton visited Athens amid furious protests at NATO airstrikes against the former Yugoslavia.
The fragile coalition government, embroiled in difficult talks with Greece’s so-called troika of foreign lenders on a 13.5 billion euro austerity package, is eager to contain public anger at Germany, widely regarded as pushing Greece to impose more pain on its citizens in exchange for rescue funding.
Some 7,000 police officers, many brought to the capital from the provinces for the day, will be on standby along with rooftop snipers and protests have been banned in much of downtown Athens. Security will be particularly heavy outside the Parliament and the German Embassy. The police may resort to the use of water cannons if rallies get out of hand.
Civil servants, including teachers and doctors, are walking off the job for a three hours starting at noon to protest Ms. Merkel’s visit and have prepared banners reading “Don’t cry for us Mrs. Merkel” and “Merkel you are not welcome here” to wield during rallies.
Daily speculation in the local media about the outcome of Greek negotiations with the troika, aimed at securing a 31.5 billion euro loan without which the country faces default in late November, was eclipsed on Tuesday by anticipation of the German leader’s visit.
Headlines in center-right newspapers read, “A message of support,” “A decisive visit by Merkel” and “We are staying in the euro.” Others, more skeptical, declared “Merkel is bringing no gifts” and “A day of anger.”
This anger was echoed by a nurse heading into the center to join fellow protesters. “This is pure provocation, we have to answer back,” said Christina Amanti, 37. “It’s like she’s visiting her protectorate. What’s she going to do, pat us on the back and tell us to keep getting poorer, that it’s good for us?”