Greece:Thousands of Greeks protested yesterday against the political response to forest fires that killed 63 people and devastated forests and villages.
Mothers pushing prams and fathers holding children on their shoulders joined teenagers and retirees in a silent rally that filled the central Athens Syndagma square in front of parliament with an estimated 8,000 people.
Meanwhile, Greek firefighters yesterday beat back the forest fires but said they fear new flare-ups with a heatwave expected this weekend.
"The biggest fronts are either receding or under partial control," fire brigade spokesman Nikos Diamandis said.
"We are concerned because a new heatwave is coming, according to the weather service, peaking on Saturday and Sunday."
The unprecedented forest fires, which began to recede yesterday, have left thousands homeless, destroyed whole villages and turned large swathes of forest to ashes.
The conservative government has been accused of incompetence in dealing with the crisis but the opposition appeared unable to capitalise on the criticism ahead of September 16th parliamentary elections.
Opinion polls show both the ruling party and the socialist opposition losing support due to the fires.
"I hope this will affect how people vote in the election. It has certainly changed the way I will cast my ballot - it won't be for either of the two major parties," said Irini Panagopoulou (28), a sales executive at the protest.
The ruling New Democracy party swept to power in 2004, ending 11 consecutive years of socialist rule. The two parties have ruled Greece since the country's return to democracy in 1974.
The government has said the fires were "not a coincidence" and offered up to €1 million reward for help tracking down arsonists.
Many Greeks believe rogue land developers are responsible for burning forests to make way for new construction, taking advantage of the lack of a land registry and clear zoning laws.
- (Reuters)