ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greek farmers protesting over planned tax and pension reforms demanded by the country’s bailout creditors have clashed outside parliament with police, who used tear gas to disperse them.
Up to 4,000 farmers from various parts of Greece took part in Wednesday’s protest in central Athens. The clashes broke out when some of the protesters threw bitter oranges that grow on trees around parliament at riot police guarding the building.
No arrests or injuries were immediately reported.
Greece’s left-led government has committed to extensive new reforms and spending cuts under the third in a series of multi-billion euro bailouts that have kept the country afloat since 2010.
Farmers are angry at plans to substantially increase their income tax, abolish existing tax breaks they enjoy and cut pensions.