Greek government forced to back down

The Greek government has been forced to reverse its decision to close the national broadcaster, ERT.

The station was taken off air without warning on the evening of 11 June as the government attempted to show a visiting delegation from the “Troika” — the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank — that it was serious about reducing public sector employment.

Around 2,600 people were set to lose their jobs, although prime minister Antonis Samaras promised to set up a new national broadcaster with a smaller staff.

The closure caused instant outrage, including an immediate general strike, called by Greece’s two main union confederations, GSEE and ADEDY, and a strike by journalists.

The sacked employees took the case to court, which ruled that the government should keep broadcasting on the same frequency until a new body is set up.