Nikos Pappas, secretary of the left-wing opposition party SYRIZA, has joined former prime minister Alexis Tsipras in expressing support for protests led by the younger generation.

Speaking to Naftemporiki TV, Pappas called on young people to take part in mass demonstrations, stressing that he regarded “large-scale mass protests as oxygen for society”.

Referring to the wave of social unrest across Europe, he said: “Europe is currently experiencing turmoil that has one common denominator: the cost of living. Wherever you look, in every corner where protests are taking place, that is the underlying issue.”

Commenting on the mobilisation of young people over the housing crisis and the erection of tents in Syntagma Square, Pappas declared: “We are calling on young people to take to the streets. […] Mass, peaceful demonstrations over the cost of living, particularly housing and energy costs, will be a breath of fresh air for our democracy. They will put pressure on political parties to adopt positions that actually solve the problem.”

Pappas also stressed that “this would not be the first time young people have carried the weight of society on their shoulders”.

“We need this kind of democratic renewal, this kind of mass participation. […] Obviously, we must steer clear of incidents of violence, which tarnish these movements and give ammunition to historically misguided interpretations,” he added.