A protester shouts slogans during a demonstration against government plans to expand the number of auctions of foreclosed properties, in central Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The rally was organized by a Communist labor union which promised to step up a campaign of disruption against property auctions. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece's powerful Communist Party has vowed to step up protests against online auctions of homes with defaulted mortgages, putting more pressure on the government which has promised bailout creditors it will speed up the auction process.
More than 2,000 protesters from the party's labor union took part in a rally in central Athens against the auctions which restarted Wednesday, following months of delays.
Until now, protests against the auctions at court houses and the offices of notary publics have been led by smaller left-wing groups.
European Union institutions participating in Greece's bailout are pressing Athens to ensure that auctions proceed.
This week, due to the postponed auctions, creditors delayed paying out a rescue loan installment to the government worth 5.7 billion euros ($7.1 billion).
A protester places a banner outside the shuttered entrance of the Finance Ministry, following a demonstration against government plans to expand the number of auctions of foreclosed properties, in central Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The sign above the door reads "Ministry of Auctions, Taxes, and Revenue Robbery." The rally was organized by a Communist labor union which promised to step up a campaign of disruption against property auctions. Greece's government is under pressure to step up the process, as a condition for the country to receive its next bailout loan disbursement. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A protester checks on his children during a demonstration against government plans to expand the number of auctions of foreclosed properties, in central Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The rally was organized by a Communist labor union which promised to step up a campaign of disruption against property auctions. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A policeman stands outside the shuttered entrance of the Finance Ministry, following a demonstration against government plans to expand the number of auctions of foreclosed properties, in central Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The sign above the door reads "Ministry of Auctions, Taxes, and Revenue Robbery." The rally was organized by a Communist labor union which promised to step up a campaign of disruption against property auctions. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press