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Greek Clashes: Protesters In Syriza Backlash

Greek Clashes: Protesters In Syriza Backlash

Protesters have clashed with riot police in Greece in the first display of anti-government sentiment since the leftist Syriza party took power a month ago.

Around 450 people took to the streets of Athens to demonstrate against the newly elected left-right coalition government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which agreed a deal with EU partners last week to extend an EU aid programme to Athens.

The four-month bailout extension , which was formally ratified by the German Parliament on Friday, has triggered dissent within Mr Tsipras' own party and accusations by some on the hard left that the government is going back on pre-election promises.

After the march, around 50 activists in hooded tops hurled petrol bombs and stones at police in the city's Exarchia district.

A small number of shop windows and bus stops were also smashed or damaged during the violence.

The leftist government was elected on 25 January on a promise to write off a chunk of the country's debt and end tough austerity measures which are blamed for pushing one in four Greeks out of work.

The bailout extension was overwhelmingly supported in the German Parliament after a large majority of lawmakers in Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc signalled their backing.

It was passed by 542 votes to 32 - the deal seen as a continuation of the tough restrictions placed on Greece despite the Syriza government's declaration that it amounted to a "victory" for its anti-austerity agenda.