Pensioners gathered in Kotzia Square today at 10:00 AM to initiate a protest march towards the Ministry of Finance. Organized by various pensioner associations, the primary aim of the demonstration is to advocate for several critical financial demands, which include increases in pensions for all retirees based on their total pensionable earnings. The protesters are insisting that these raises account for the yearly loss due to inflation, and also seek the reinstatement of the 13th and 14th pensions that were previously canceled, alongside the recovery of unlawfully withheld pension retroactive payments.

The protesters also call for reforms in pension calculation methods to ensure that they reflect the average pensionable salary from the past five years. Additional demands encompass the abolition of the Solidarity Contribution and health insurance contributions, the provision of a national pension for all retirees, and increased staffing for healthcare facilities, including hiring more nurses and doctors. Furthermore, they are advocating for the introduction of social tourism initiatives to benefit senior citizens and the hiring of personnel in the National Insurance and Pension Fund (e-EFKA).

This demonstration is significant as it highlights ongoing frustrations among Greece's aging population amid economic challenges. The government's response to these demands could impact the public's confidence in its ability to manage economic reforms while addressing the needs of vulnerable citizens, particularly retirees who are often on fixed incomes and have borne the brunt of austerity measures in recent years.