Greek lawmakers approved sweeping university education reforms that would break the state monopoly on university education, despite student protests.
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00:00 Greek lawmakers have approved sweeping reforms that will create privately run universities,
00:06 ending the state monopoly on university education.
00:09 The reforms took place despite violent protests on Friday night, where protesters attacked
00:14 police outside parliament with petrol bombs and firecrackers.
00:18 Some 18,000 demonstrated.
00:21 Authorities said nine members of the public and seven officers were injured.
00:24 "The purpose of this bill is to promote those who have a degree.
00:31 We are not saying this for bad reasons, but it is a fact.
00:34 Unfortunately, the majority of the population does not have the financial means to afford
00:39 it.
00:40 We are dealing with a situation that is not only affecting the job market, but also the
00:44 current economic situation.
00:45 This bill is unfair."
00:50 Higher education is already legal in Greece, but the new law would make degrees from private
00:55 institutions equivalent to public universities.
00:59 Protesters say the reforms would create a two-tier system for students, but the center-right
01:03 government said it would help attract skilled workers back into Greece.
01:07 [WHOOSH]