Hundreds of pensioners took to the streets of Athens to demand an increase in their pensions in the face of soaring inflation and higher electricity and fuel prices. According to police estimates, a demonstration of 1,300 people took place in the center of the capital, according to AFP.

“When prices rise, the pension evaporates in the first five days,” said Georgia Farmakidi, head of the Rhodes Union of Pensioners. “We will not be able to turn on the heating in our apartment this winter,” she added.

Demonstrators marched towards Parliament with banners calling for “lower prices for basic commodities” and “appropriate health measures”.

The financial crisis and the harsh austerity policies introduced across the country over the past decade have led to a deterioration in wages and pensions.

Retired factory worker Alexandros Solomos noted that he could not live on his €640 monthly pension before the recent changes, and the 75-year-old asked: “How can we deal with high energy prices and inflation?”

“We are on the verge of poverty and hunger, and my wife has no source of income… We have had our pensions lowered, but those in the government have enough money to live comfortably,” he added, criticizing the conservatives and the former leftist administration.

Greece has spent nine billion euros this year to deal with the energy and coronavirus crises, according to Finance Minister Christos Staikouras.

However, inflation rose over 10% in Greece in April last year and peaked at 12.1% in June before declining slightly.