Greek parliament overturns right to free, universal education
On Thursday the Greek parliament voted to pass legislation, codenamed the Athena Plan, aimed at the destruction of free, state-provided higher education. The law was rammed through in flagrant violation of the Greek constitution, which does not allow for the abolition of universities. - The law was passed with 148 parliamentary deputies voting in favour with 125 against. Athena results in the immediate closure of four universities (ten percent of the remaining 40). These are the University of Central Greece, the University of Western Greece, the International Hellenic University and the University of Western Macedonia. Some 20 percent of Greece’s technical institutions will also be abolished, with a number merged to establish privatized colleges.