Amid riots, lawmakers approve entry of private universities

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

Greek lawmakers approved the reforms early on Saturday 9 March that will end the state monopoly on university education, breaking what powerful left-wing student groups have long regarded as a major taboo.

Hours before the vote, which began Friday evening and ended after midnight, protesters attacked police outside parliament with petrol bombs and firecrackers as some 18,000 people demonstrated in central Athens against the proposed legislation. Police charged a few dozen violent demonstrators and fired tear gas. A police statement said nine members of the public and seven officers were injured, while three suspected rioters were arrested.
Full report on the Euronews site