Greece approves ending state monopoly on university education, despite student protests

Greek lawmakers approved sweeping university education reforms that would break the state monopoly on university education, despite student protests.

Transcript

00:00 Greek lawmakers have approved sweeping reforms that will create privately run universities,

00:06 ending the state monopoly on university education.

00:09 The reforms took place despite violent protests on Friday night, where protesters attacked

00:14 police outside parliament with petrol bombs and firecrackers.

00:18 Some 18,000 demonstrated.

00:21 Authorities said nine members of the public and seven officers were injured.

00:24 "The purpose of this bill is to promote those who have a degree.

00:31 We are not saying this for bad reasons, but it is a fact.

00:34 Unfortunately, the majority of the population does not have the financial means to afford

00:39 it.

00:40 We are dealing with a situation that is not only affecting the job market, but also the

00:44 current economic situation.

00:45 This bill is unfair."

00:50 Higher education is already legal in Greece, but the new law would make degrees from private

00:55 institutions equivalent to public universities.

00:59 Protesters say the reforms would create a two-tier system for students, but the center-right

01:03 government said it would help attract skilled workers back into Greece.

01:07 [WHOOSH]