Gov't seeks to downplay Rouvikonas protest, attacks opposition

The government on Thursday tried to downplay a protest by the Rouvikonas (Greek for Rubicon) anti-establishment group in the courtyard of the Greek Parliament building the previous day, while accusing the conservative New Democracy opposition of trying to put an alarmist spin on the incident.

"The police did what they had to do and I do not think there is a point in dealing with that particular issue any further," government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told Sto Kokkino radio station, while labelling the incident as an "activist" protest.

On Wednesday, a group of around 17 people managed to gain access to the building's courtyard by sneaking in behind the car of Alternate Finance Minister Giorgos Houliarakis as he drove through the entrance. The protesters scattered fliers and shouted slogans condemning the government and declaring solidarity with "political...