Greek crisis: A look back
Greece, which triggered the euro zone’s financial crisis in 2009, heads to an early snap election this week, just over halfway through the government’s four-year term.
With the country’s sudden return to the spotlight, Reuters photographers take a look back at a crisis which took the country to the brink of bankruptcy, brought thousands of people on to the streets and cast doubt on Greece’s euro membership.
Greek riot policemen rest in front of graffiti written on the wall of a bank during violent demonstrations over austerity measures.
A branch of the Bank of Greece is seen stained with red paint thrown by demonstrators during a protest in central Athens.
Immigrants and asylum seekers, with their mouths taped, protest to demand for asylum.
A protester wearing a gas mask walks beside a burning van during violent protests against austerity measures.
A demonstrator jumps to attempt to break a window displaying an image of an ancient greek galley during protests against austerity measures.
A demonstrator is detained by riot police during anti-austerity protests.
Policemen are set ablaze on fire by a petrol bomb thrown by protesters during clashes near the Parliament building in Syntagma (Constitution) square.
Greeks struggle as they wait to receive free onions and other vegetables offered by farmers in Syntagma Square.
A woman picks her way past a burned-out shop after a night of violence which followed the Greek parliament approval of a deeply unpopular austerity bill.
A man drinks coffee in front of a mural near the coastal town of Kalamatta in the Messinia area of Greece.
Greek parliament employees raise a mast after they replaced torn-off Greek flag with a new one atop the parliament in Athens Syntagma square.
Pensioners applaud in front of the Health Ministry as they take part in an anti-austerity rally.
Lawmaker of the far-right Golden Dawn party Ilias Panagiotaros delivers a speech during a pre-election rally.
A farmer shouts during a protest outside Greece's Agriculture Ministry.
