0:00:02 > 0:00:05In Greece, people my age are rioting on the streets.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09In Ireland, an entire generation is leaving the country for good.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11I just hope it really works out for her.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15In Japan, young people can't even find love.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Let's get married!
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Nice guy, nice face, whatever, just soon.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21All asking for husbands.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28'I'm Stacey Dooley. And in this series I'll visit three countries.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29'Each hit in different ways
0:00:29 > 0:00:32'by the worst economic meltdown in living memory.'
0:00:32 > 0:00:35It basically says, if you're here to take your own life
0:00:35 > 0:00:37because you're worried about money, don't.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40You have to think the kind of place you'd have to be in
0:00:40 > 0:00:43to come somewhere like this and think it's my only way out.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46I want to find out what it's like for young people like me
0:00:46 > 0:00:47caught up in the crisis,
0:00:47 > 0:00:51and what might be in store for us here in the UK.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Welcome to Ireland, 2012.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56'Tonight I'm starting my journey in Greece,
0:00:56 > 0:00:58'a country on the brink of going bust.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:00We've got a permit.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04'I want to find out why some are driven to the point of suicide.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Oh, my God, there's someone up there!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09I did not realise the desperation that your people are in.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12'I want to see the extreme things people do just to earn a living.'
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- Snails?!- This is our last chance.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16And I want to find out
0:01:16 > 0:01:19if Greece really is on the verge of revolution.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24We are going to resist and we are going to win.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- We have to go. - SHE SCREAMS
0:01:30 > 0:01:34They must be desperate beyond desperation
0:01:34 > 0:01:37for that to be an answer.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52For us Brits, Greece was where we went for some fun in the sun.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58But two years ago the party ended.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Financial turmoil in Greece is the worst crisis in Europe
0:02:02 > 0:02:03since the Second World War.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Greece is heading for bankruptcy.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Athens has come under intense pressure
0:02:07 > 0:02:10to straighten out its finances.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Billions of euros in debt,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Greece needed to be bailed out by the rest of Europe.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The money, in the form of emergency funds and loans,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20is in return for a package of severe austerity measures.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25The government was forced to slash spending, cut wages and raise taxes.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28However bad the economic mess we're in here,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30at least we're not Greece.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34These austerity measures have pushed the Greeks to breaking point...
0:02:34 > 0:02:38They will not tolerate the austerity measures being imposed upon them.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41..making our favourite holiday destination
0:02:41 > 0:02:42look more like a war zone.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52So here I am, look, I'm in Greece, Athens. I'm so made up I'm here.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55All over the past year, every time you put the news on,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Greece, Greece, Greece, it's all up in arms, everyone's angry,
0:02:58 > 0:02:59it's all really kicking off here.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01So I'm going to dig deep and see what's what.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I've come at a critical time.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Next week, politicians must decide
0:03:09 > 0:03:12whether to accept another multi-billion euro bailout
0:03:12 > 0:03:14or let the country go bankrupt.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Whatever they decide,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20it will have a massive impact on young Greeks for decades to come.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23I haven't been in the car more than 20 minutes
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and I've already seen police everywhere,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28nearly every corner I've turned there've been police
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and they've had the big glass riot barrier things.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34It does seem to be all kicking off everywhere you look.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39There's protests, people with megaphones, there's flags,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41there's signs, big posters.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43You can feel it in the air,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45you can feel something's not quite right.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52And something's not quite right when I check into the hotel.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I literally am the only person in the whole hotel.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- Hello. Yia sas. - Yia sas.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04- How's things?- Hi.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you, too.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09My name is Aida.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10Are you affected yourself, Aida?
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Of course we are affected in this hotel.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16This little hotel, it's a family business.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18We don't have reservations, we don't have e-mails,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20we don't have phone calls.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23It's the first time that happens, such a thing.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's bad in Athens, in Greece in general.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29When you think of Greece, me, as a Brit,
0:04:29 > 0:04:30I think, holidays, sightseeing, lalala!
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Things are tricky in the UK, no question,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36but here I think it's on a whole other scale.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40They were saying there's a great view.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43Jeez!
0:04:43 > 0:04:46My God.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Look, there it is.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- That's the- Acropolips, - am I saying that right?- Acropolips.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56That is the sightseeing place,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58that is the place to come and view in Athens,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00and I'm a stone's throw away.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01So this...
0:05:01 > 0:05:04You know, there's no wonder this hotel has been booming
0:05:04 > 0:05:07for so many years, and it's a shame they're struggling now.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Athens used to be famous for its ancient history.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16But more recently it's become better known
0:05:16 > 0:05:20as a city experiencing the extremes of government cuts.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Way deeper than anything we've seen here in Britain.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29To get a feel for the place, my plan is to have a look around
0:05:29 > 0:05:32with local journalist and activist, Konstantinos.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Hello.- Hi, nice to meet you. - Konstantinos?- Are you Stacey?
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Nice to meet you. Welcome to Athens.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- Thank you, thanks for agreeing to see me.- No problem.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Your local eyes will be spot on, just what I need.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45You're lucky because it's a nice day,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47we have a nice opportunity to check out the town.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- I brought the sun with me. - Yeah, yeah.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51So this is your stomping ground.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54This is the centre, Syntagma Square. Where everything happens.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58It's the main focal point of every march and protest in Athens.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- Right over there is the Greek Parliament.- I wondered what that was,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03that building.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07And the main cause of all the troubles of young Greeks today.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09So, this is the place, if you've got something to say
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and you want politicians to hear and see you, this is where they come.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14If you want to complain, you come here.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Is it young great Greeks protesting, because they've got no opportunity?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20During the last two years, it's been people of all ages
0:06:20 > 0:06:21and social status.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24The consequence of the crisis are visible on almost
0:06:24 > 0:06:26every aspect of Greek society.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- It's unbearable.- Enough is enough.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Pensions are being cut, salaries are being cut, benefits are being cut.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36It's without precedence. There are signs of struggle in the city, really.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Will you show me? Can I spend the day with you?- Obviously, I'll show you. That's why we're here.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- Is this usual - empty shops? - Things are really going bad.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52It's not just this shop. You can see around you -
0:06:52 > 0:06:56sales - 40%, 50% off, 60% off -
0:06:56 > 0:06:59people didn't have so much money to spend like they used to.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Imagine Oxford Street with an empty building.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- How long would it stay empty? - A day?- A day, exactly.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08What's going on here? Is this recycling?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10These guys are scavenging for plastic bottles,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13tin cans, glass bottles.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16If you gather 20 bottles, you get a coupon
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and you can go eat free.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- Wow.- He gathers most from the big bottles from his house,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and the little ones, he scavenges from around the buildings.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Alouminio...
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Glass, plastic...
0:07:30 > 0:07:33He's doing this,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35because that's how hard times are.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38That's what's going on. People are scavenging on
0:07:38 > 0:07:40a high street in Athens, Greece, in the European Union.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43You're used to seeing that in Africa.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I've seen it in Asia a lot. But it wouldn't even
0:07:45 > 0:07:47enter my head that's how serious
0:07:47 > 0:07:49and that's how difficult things are here.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Literally, we've just left this square not so long ago,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- and this has popped up.- It's free food for all, a soup kitchen.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00How are you? Nice to meet you.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03What made you decide to come out today?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05We have problems here. We starve.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Did you ever think you'd be doing something like this?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10No.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15But not everyone's keen to share their country's problems with me.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29It seems some proud Greeks are embarrassed
0:08:29 > 0:08:31by the state their country is in.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Because they've had jobs and they've lived a certain lifestyle,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38they're finding it embarrassing that they can't sustain the life they're used to.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Nobody thought we would be here today in this situation. Nobody has prepared for it.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45I've studied, I have my Masters, my diplomas and everything.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47I'm fortunate for a job in anything.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Do you believe things will improve for you and get better?
0:08:50 > 0:08:51We will make it better.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Well...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56'I can understand Konstantinos' anger.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00'Despite his education, he can't get a job. In fact, over half
0:09:00 > 0:09:03'of all young Greeks are unemployed -
0:09:03 > 0:09:06'three times more than in Britain.'
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Everything we're told, like study hard, have a good degree
0:09:10 > 0:09:13and everything will solve itself, it's not true.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16People from my generation grew up with hopes and dreams.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20I'm 25 years old and I still have not got a regular job.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25It feels like I'm stalling, like time is running underneath my feet.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30I've spent the whole day with him and he seems like a really cool guy.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33His life's not going the way he wants it to, and he doesn't want
0:09:33 > 0:09:37this and he doesn't find it fair,
0:09:37 > 0:09:38and I totally get that.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Hanging out with Konstantinos gives me
0:09:42 > 0:09:45a sense of the frustration many Greeks feel.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49But later, I stumble across a shocking example of just how
0:09:49 > 0:09:52desperate some people have got.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Oh, my God, there's someone up there.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59And they look like they're...
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Oh, my God, I can't believe it.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07I can't believe this.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10I can't look. I can't look if they jump.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12It's a girl. It's a girl!
0:10:12 > 0:10:15There's news people everywhere, there's people with cameras.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17She seems really distressed.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24It turns out the woman is a civil servant,
0:10:24 > 0:10:25who has just learned
0:10:25 > 0:10:28she's to lose her job because of government cuts.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31She doesn't just work there,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33her husband works there. They've got two kids.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35One of the kids is poorly.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39So the kid needs money every month to get the treatment.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46She's a normal person, hanging off the side of the building,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48because she's just found out she doesn't know how
0:10:48 > 0:10:51she's going to feed her kids.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55'She's not the only one - all her colleagues have been laid off too
0:10:55 > 0:10:57'and the department shut.'
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- Is the building being closed? - Yes, it's closed.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- So more jobs are going to go? - All the people stop the job.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- I understand. - That's why she wants to fall.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10I hope to God she doesn't jump.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15You know, you've been hearing and hearing about things like this.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19People are reaching breaking point. This is how serious issues are here.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27'Thankfully, the woman doesn't go through with her plan.'
0:11:29 > 0:11:32A guy came onto the balcony and he's taken her in.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36'After more than four hours, she's eventually talked down.'
0:11:36 > 0:11:39This is just incredible. I can't believe that poor lady up there.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I think it will become more and more common.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- You think that?- Yes.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46When you're desperate and have nothing to lose...
0:11:46 > 0:11:50I thought, "Economic crisis" -
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I did not realise the scale,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54you know and...
0:11:56 > 0:11:58..the desperation that your people are in.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00I didn't get it.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03'I discovered the closure of the woman's department
0:12:03 > 0:12:05'is big news here in Greece.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'She works in social housing, helping provide
0:12:08 > 0:12:09'affordable homes for the poor.'
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Excuse me?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Hi, I'm Stacey Dooley from BBC Three.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18I just want to know what you think the closing of
0:12:18 > 0:12:20this organisation will mean here?
0:12:31 > 0:12:35In England, social housing is for the people who most need it,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37the poorest people in our community.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38It's there to help them.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41So, if social housing is going, it's hitting the poorest,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43the hardest, the first.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46After the press conference, I take the chance
0:12:46 > 0:12:50and go into the woman's offices, to speak with some of her colleagues.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- I'm Stacey.- How do you do?
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Has, literally, every single person here, everybody in this room,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01has had to go home and tell their family it's closing down.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03This has affected everybody?
0:13:03 > 0:13:06How many people will be directly affected
0:13:06 > 0:13:09by the closing of this organisation?
0:13:20 > 0:13:24I grew up on a council estate. I'm very working class,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I understand the importance of these homes,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30so, for me, to hear somewhere like this is closing,
0:13:30 > 0:13:32I, personally, think it's disgusting.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36I don't understand why the government decided to close this.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38What makes the difference to them?
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- Is that what it is? - Yah. That's right.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Where do the government expect these people to live? On the streets?
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- Where else are they going to live? - It doesn't care about people.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55About souls, about our bodies.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58We're not people. We are animals.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Help us!
0:13:59 > 0:14:01We are dying!
0:14:08 > 0:14:11I just honestly stumbled across this today.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13The lady, hanging off a ledge,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16threatening to jump because she is in such...
0:14:16 > 0:14:18a terrible situation,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21and you think that's awful, and your heart goes out to her.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23But, then you go on to learn that...
0:14:26 > 0:14:28..the problem that is making her life hell -
0:14:28 > 0:14:30this organisation closing -
0:14:30 > 0:14:32is affecting over a million people.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37And I cannot believe this is a result of the government.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41'My trip so far has shown me the human price of spending cuts.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45'It's a stark reminder of what could happen in Britain
0:14:45 > 0:14:47'if our debt gets worse.'
0:14:50 > 0:14:54'Soon, Greek politicians will vote on whether to take another bailout,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57'and introduce even tougher austerity measures.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01'To show they're against this, the people are out in force.'
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Konstantinos has been on the phone. "Stacey, there's a massive march planned."
0:15:04 > 0:15:06This is something that I see on the news at home,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10you're bombarded with all these riot images, and everyone getting
0:15:10 > 0:15:12angry and frustrated, so to get the opportunity to see
0:15:12 > 0:15:16it myself, to be amongst the Greek people,
0:15:16 > 0:15:17I think will be fascinating.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- How are you?- How are you?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Oh, my God, thank you for telling me about this. I can't believe it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- This happens so often.- There's so many people here, I didn't realise.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Not so many. Not so many!
0:15:36 > 0:15:39What is this particular strike for today?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Companies and factories shut down.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45People have been laid off and this is a support of solidarity.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Also, there's a general feeling in the Greek people,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51that the measures that are effective right now, in order to save Greece,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55the bailout package, doesn't serve the interests of the Greek people.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57It just serves the interests of the banks
0:15:57 > 0:16:01and the big European corporations that do not want to lose
0:16:01 > 0:16:03their money due to Greece's financial crisis.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06This is what really bothers every Greek.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Do you understand English?- Yes.- Ahh!
0:16:22 > 0:16:25So you being here today, you're hoping to change parliament,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27change government, change Greece as it is today?
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Do you hope for a revolution? A total revolution?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47For the whole of Greece, every Greek person? The whole of the world?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Yeah, you think that?
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Yeah.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04It's going to spread.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Do you feel optimistic that this could make a difference?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13I don't believe that change is going to come today, obviously not,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16but the more aware that people get, the better
0:17:16 > 0:17:18and hopefully the next one will be even bigger and then one day
0:17:18 > 0:17:22we will invade parliament and take them by their throats.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Let me know when that happens!
0:17:24 > 0:17:27'Of course he's being over the top, but like Konstantinos, many young
0:17:27 > 0:17:33'Greeks do feel their lives have been ruined by the politicians.'
0:17:33 > 0:17:35There's so many different people from so many backgrounds
0:17:35 > 0:17:38and age groups, they're all here for the same reason -
0:17:38 > 0:17:39everyone's had enough.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46I feel like this really could be the start of change,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48it does feel like that.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It feels like there's a real sense of...
0:17:50 > 0:17:53determination from the people.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58'Speaking to the protesters, it's clear they're angry
0:17:58 > 0:17:59'and have lost faith in their leaders.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05'But why?
0:18:05 > 0:18:09'How has the government's handling of the crisis hurt normal Greeks?'
0:18:11 > 0:18:15I've only been in Greece for a short time but already all I've heard
0:18:15 > 0:18:18is hardship, poverty, unemployment, it's sky-high here.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I want to see what living through an economic crisis means.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27How bad are things, show me?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So I'm off to one of the worst-affected areas
0:18:30 > 0:18:31in the whole country.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39'I've come to Perama, a rundown city on the coast of mainland Greece.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43'The main employer here is shipping,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46'with the countries biggest port and dockyards all nearby.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49'But, like most industries in Greece,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52'the crisis has taken its toll here too.'
0:19:07 > 0:19:11'80% of the population here are unemployed -
0:19:11 > 0:19:13'four times the national average.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17'I'm here to visit a charity-run clinic which I'm told is
0:19:17 > 0:19:21'one of many that have sprung up recently.'
0:19:21 > 0:19:23These people have been waiting ages and the doors have just been
0:19:23 > 0:19:26opened and everyone is rushing in to see the doctor I imagine.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28SHE SHOUTS IN GREEK
0:19:29 > 0:19:32It's jam-packed, people everywhere.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35I've seen similar scenes like in Africa and Asia
0:19:35 > 0:19:37and things like that.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41'But unlike the third world, Greece does have a National Health Service
0:19:41 > 0:19:46'so what I want to know is why anyone needs to come here at all.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52'To find out, I'm meeting 32-year-old Dr George Papadakis.'
0:19:52 > 0:19:55This man was hospitalised some days ago
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- because he had a heart attack in the hospital.- Oh, God.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00These are the medicines he needs to take,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04the problem is he has not got the possibility to buy these medicines
0:20:04 > 0:20:05because it costs a lot of money.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09So, this clinic has effectively saved your life?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Was the reason this clinic exists,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22a direct result of the economic crisis?
0:20:22 > 0:20:27Lately, everybody who has to go to the doctor or the hospital,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30he has to buy a five euro ticket...
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Just to get in?- Just to get in, yes.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36They have to pay for blood tests, X-rays,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and after that they have to pay for their medicines.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44'New charges for getting basic help mean many poor Greeks
0:20:44 > 0:20:47'are effectively denied access to their National Health Service.'
0:20:48 > 0:20:51I'm here having a look at the economic crisis which
0:20:51 > 0:20:54is awful in itself, but then you have a chat with the Greek people
0:20:54 > 0:20:58and you think it's like a humanitarian crisis.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Here you can see the actual face of the crisis -
0:21:02 > 0:21:04it's the people's face.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07As I look around the clinic,
0:21:07 > 0:21:12doctors have started handing out more than just medical help.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16This is like a donation room, I suspect.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Clothes, kids' clothes, blankets,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22rucksacks, that kind of thing.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25It's like the back of a charity shop, isn't it?
0:21:25 > 0:21:28It doesn't look like a doctor's surgery!
0:21:28 > 0:21:33And then food, milk, spaghetti, powdered milk for the kids...
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Why are you here at the clinic today?
0:22:01 > 0:22:04You OK? Don't get upset, don't worry.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Something that you sense quickly is that these people aren't
0:22:12 > 0:22:16happy that they're here, they're not here because they fancy free stuff,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20they're here because they've got absolutely no other option.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And with the camera, a lot of them are hiding their faces
0:22:23 > 0:22:25and it's because they're embarrassed.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30They're proud people, they don't want to be begging for handouts.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34I think they can't believe that they're having to do this.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36'Unfortunately,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41'the reality of the crisis is a third of all Greeks now find themselves
0:22:41 > 0:22:44'living below the poverty line, relying on others for survival.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Dr George was explaining to me that there's been a lady who's
0:22:47 > 0:22:50been in and out of this clinic for a couple of months
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and she was often coming to get help and food parcels.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57She's not there today, she's at home so I thought it would be
0:22:57 > 0:23:00a great opportunity to just run the parcel over and I can have a nose
0:23:00 > 0:23:04at the kind of living conditions and the troubles that she's facing.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07So, off to do me bit for the day!
0:23:11 > 0:23:14'Up to 100 patients visit the health centre everyday,
0:23:14 > 0:23:19'many with problems linked to poor housing and bad diet.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23'And looking around you can see why.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25'It's a million miles away from the Greece you see
0:23:25 > 0:23:26'in the holiday brochures.'
0:23:26 > 0:23:31When I said I'd deliver this food parcel,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34I did not realise she lived at the top of Europe!
0:23:34 > 0:23:36It's unbelievable.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41'I've come to the home of Yannis and Spyridoula.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45'Proud parents to newborn baby, Chrisovalantis.'
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Hello!
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Oh my goodness, who's this?
0:23:49 > 0:23:53'Because of the new hospital charges, a complicated pregnancy
0:23:53 > 0:23:58'and caesarean section has left the couple owing thousands in medical bills.'
0:23:58 > 0:24:00You're both unemployed and obviously
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Mum's going to have to be at home with baby,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06but are you actively looking for work
0:24:06 > 0:24:08and it's just not there for you?
0:24:22 > 0:24:28How does it make you feel having to rely on charities and handouts?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Who is to blame, who has put you in this position?
0:25:06 > 0:25:07Today for me really was about me
0:25:07 > 0:25:10getting the opportunity to see for myself
0:25:10 > 0:25:14how the economic crisis is affecting real Greeks,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and I totally got that today.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21I've spoken to this lovely couple and I wasn't expecting the house
0:25:21 > 0:25:25to be as basic as it is, I mean there's polystyrene sellotaped to the wall,
0:25:25 > 0:25:30there's a single bed that I suspect they both sleep on, in the kitchen.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36And when I say kitchen, there's just a sink and a table with all their bits on it.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38I've just delivered a food parcel and we're in Greece,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40we're not in a third world country here.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44It's crazy for me to think it and I totally get it about how
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Greeks are so up in arms about having to live this way.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48It's poverty.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51No wonder they're out in the streets protesting,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53no wonder everyone's got the hump.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55I would never want to be in this position.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02From what I've seen, it's clear the government's extra tax
0:26:02 > 0:26:07on public services is having a shocking impact on normal Greeks.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Hello!
0:26:11 > 0:26:13'I've been invited to meet We Do Not Pay -
0:26:13 > 0:26:16'a group I met at the earlier protests that were formed
0:26:16 > 0:26:19'specially to take direct action against these measures.'
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Explain to me a bit more about what it is you as a movement do.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29You go to hospital, you have to pay five euros in order to be examined.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32That's something we cannot accept because we have paid taxes
0:26:32 > 0:26:36all these years in order to have free public health care.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40- The system is unfair. Profit is the main goal.- Yeah.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43And I think that in order to overthrow something,
0:26:43 > 0:26:47you must hit the beast in its heart.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49- So actually take real action?- Yes.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- And is that what you as a movement do?- Yes.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56'To find out what hitting the beast in the heart involves,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58'Elias has invited me along to watch
0:26:58 > 0:27:00'as they carry out a guerrilla protest.'
0:27:00 > 0:27:03OK, let me help. What do you need me to do?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05We do not pay!
0:27:05 > 0:27:06SHE LAUGHS
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Oh.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12Oh, I've got my badge on. I'm feeling really...
0:27:12 > 0:27:13I'm excited, actually.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16I'm excited to see this kind of protest in action.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18We do not pay.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21LOUDHAILER CLICKS AND SQUEAKS
0:27:21 > 0:27:23It's broke.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25I don't know how useful it is.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29I don't know if people don't pay or they do. I guess I'll find out.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- LOUDHAILER WAILS - Oh, I'm sorry.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Thank God you've got me for tonight.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I'm very useful.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- THROUGH PA:- Hello? Hello, everybody,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43and good luck for tonight. Thank you.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50We Do Not Pay take their protest to those public services
0:27:50 > 0:27:54directly affected by the government's new charges.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00In the past, they've held actions in hospitals and at motorway tolls.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04I'm not entirely sure what will happen when we get to the other end.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07I don't know how people will react to them.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11I just don't know, I guess I'll soon find out.
0:28:20 > 0:28:26Tonight, the movement have targeted the Athens underground system.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32So, basically they're taping up the swipe machines
0:28:32 > 0:28:35so you can't physically pay.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40And they're just literally ushering everyone through.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Some of them have gone up here to put their big banner up.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I don't know if you can see that going up now.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53The workers have come up to them now to stop them, look.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09- What's going on? - She was bypassing our action now,
0:29:09 > 0:29:12and she was validating tickets in the manual way.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15On the flip side, is she not just doing her job?
0:29:15 > 0:29:20She shows disrespect to our fight, that's a common fight with employees.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- We are with them, with their side, we are not against them.- OK.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27This, on a political scale, is very big
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- and we should defend our action. - Yeah.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45I spoke to Elias and he reckons that they've prevented
0:29:45 > 0:29:48the people paying up to 8,000 euros
0:29:48 > 0:29:50with all the people they've let through.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55And part of me admires them, part of me thinks, "Good on you,"
0:29:55 > 0:29:57you know, "You're doing something you truly believe in,"
0:29:57 > 0:30:00cos it's one thing moaning about the situation,
0:30:00 > 0:30:02there's another thing to get out and do your bit.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09'And this lot aren't the only ones.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12'Thousands of protest movements have formed recently,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16'each reacting against the government's handling of the crisis.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19'But do any of them really offer an alternative
0:30:19 > 0:30:21'for the future of Greece?'
0:30:21 > 0:30:24In a way, I definitely agree with most of the things
0:30:24 > 0:30:27your movement is saying, but then on the other hand I'm thinking,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30well, what if everyone said, "Oh, we're not paying for this,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33we're not paying for that," where would the country end up?
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- So it's very difficult, isn't it? - Yes, it is, actually.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- It's not black and white. - Well, no, no, it is.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41For me, it is black and white.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43If we had a society, an ideal society,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46that everything was working as it is supposed to do,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48then it would be a crime not to pay,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51but we are far away from that society.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54The social goods like health, education,
0:30:54 > 0:30:59they should be free and everybody should have access to it.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01We need to have solidarity - it's very important -
0:31:01 > 0:31:03not only in a period of crisis,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06but we have to have it as a philosophy of life.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08'Most young people I've met have told me
0:31:08 > 0:31:12'they want to see big changes to how Greece is run.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14'Some have even mentioned revolution.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19'But what I want to know is how did it ever come to this?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24'To explain, Konstantinos has arranged to take me
0:31:24 > 0:31:27'on a journey out to the suburbs.'
0:31:27 > 0:31:29- God, you've got new hair! - Yeah, you like it?
0:31:29 > 0:31:32The hair's gone. So, Konstantinos, why are we getting a train today?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Because it's a particularly good way for you to understand
0:31:35 > 0:31:37how Greek money is being badly spent,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39going into bad pockets and everything.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42The train system's a pretty good example of that.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- Is this us?- Yes, this is us.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53The annual expenses for the railway system
0:31:53 > 0:31:55are like 600m euros per year
0:31:55 > 0:31:58whilst the income is only 100m euros.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02How do they justify that, if that's common knowledge?
0:32:02 > 0:32:04The railway system is bankrupt. It's completely bankrupt
0:32:04 > 0:32:08and it's been for many years, and they just keep feeding it money,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10feeding it money, but it's not only the trains.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12In every aspect of Greek public life
0:32:12 > 0:32:16a lot of this money is used to go into back pockets or to bribe.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20A lot of money is being paid to politicians to approve certain companies to do certain projects.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24So it's not just a simple case of they're not able to
0:32:24 > 0:32:26manage their books, it's actually corruption?
0:32:26 > 0:32:29You can't say there's corruption everywhere in Greece,
0:32:29 > 0:32:30that's what I believe, but, you know...
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- In your opinion?- But that's what most people think, I guess.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40I mean, it's disgusting that they're quite happy to cut
0:32:40 > 0:32:43working-class Greek people's jobs
0:32:43 > 0:32:46every day, left, right and centre, cuts, cuts...
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Factories closing down, organisations closing down,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52but they're happy to keep pouring hundreds of millions of euros
0:32:52 > 0:32:54into something that doesn't work.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56It's stupid.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59'But the billions wasted on an inefficient public sector
0:32:59 > 0:33:02'is only half the story behind the Greek debt.'
0:33:02 > 0:33:05This is one of the richest neighbourhoods in Athens
0:33:05 > 0:33:07and as you can see, it is pretty evident,
0:33:07 > 0:33:12- I mean, the houses are huge and everything is well protected.- Gated.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15You can see the contrast between this area and the rest of Athens
0:33:15 > 0:33:18you have seen, and it's been proven that several Greek businessmen
0:33:18 > 0:33:21that do live in these kinds of areas owe large amounts of money
0:33:21 > 0:33:24to the Greek state, but through tax evasion for several years.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26We're talking about amounts of money
0:33:26 > 0:33:29that could seriously save Greece at this moment.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Well, they should be the first port of call, shouldn't they?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35You know, when a country's in such an awful state, you'd think,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39"Right, there's people that we know owe hundreds of millions of euros,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42"so what we'll do is we'll get that before
0:33:42 > 0:33:44"we go and cut jobs of the working class people."
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- Exactly.- That is what you would hope a country would do.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51It's destructive. It's destructive to try and pay off our debt
0:33:51 > 0:33:55by crippling your economic system instead of collecting what's rightfully yours,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58and imagine, these are people that have more than enough money
0:33:58 > 0:34:01to pay their taxes, and especially in a time of economic crisis.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Don't they feel a sense of duty, of responsibility?
0:34:03 > 0:34:07'Despite losing an estimated 15 billion euros a year,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10'few Greeks have ever been done for tax fraud.'
0:34:13 > 0:34:16What on earth do they need a riot van for around here?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I have no idea. That's just a part of the bargain, I guess,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21they have with the Greek parliament.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24'From what I'm hearing, it seems that the interests of the Haves
0:34:24 > 0:34:26'come before the Have Nots.'
0:34:26 > 0:34:27Hello.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32Hello. Is there a... No, we've got a permit.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34We've got a permit to film in Greece.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38We've got a permit, so we are allowed to film.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41THE POLICEMAN SPEAKS IN GREEK They want to see the papers. OK.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44That's fine. There's no problem.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46We're not doing anything wrong. We're just filming.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Oh, no, it's OK. I don't feel scared.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56Thank you.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Nice.- Mm!- Nice.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Nice. Nice, Stacey.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Can you conceive this? You are in a square in the poshest part of Athens
0:35:06 > 0:35:07and a riot van approaches.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12'For me, I really wanted to understand and get my head round
0:35:12 > 0:35:15'how a country gets to a position where it's very nearly bankrupt.'
0:35:15 > 0:35:19You know, the main reason Greece is where it is today
0:35:19 > 0:35:21is because the Greek government
0:35:21 > 0:35:25have spent loads and loads and loads and loads of money,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28but the things that they've spent the money on
0:35:28 > 0:35:30aren't giving money back to the country
0:35:30 > 0:35:33and then the people living the high life, you know,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36they're not paying back the money they owe to that country.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40So if that kind of carry on is happening for 10, 20, 30 years,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43I can see that that's not going to balance out.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44It's not going to work.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48'Konstantinos clearly blames the wealthy.'
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Rich people suck.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54'But is it really fair to point the finger at the rich
0:35:54 > 0:35:56'for not paying their taxes?'
0:35:56 > 0:35:59GUN POPS
0:35:59 > 0:36:02'To get some answers, I've got successful shipping tycoon
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'Harry Vafias in my sights.'
0:36:05 > 0:36:07- OK, Harry.- Welcome. GUNFIRE
0:36:07 > 0:36:10- SHE LAUGHS - That's very dramatic!
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Do you spend a lot of time here?
0:36:12 > 0:36:16I come once every ten days to relax, to practice my shooting
0:36:16 > 0:36:19and as you see, it's a very nice day so we are very lucky.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- A great day for shooting? - A great day for shooting - targets not people.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Oh, OK. I'm down with that. Let's go.- Let's go.
0:36:25 > 0:36:26- This way.- This way?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29'Now just 34, Harry was, before the crisis,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32'one of Greece's youngest billionaires.'
0:36:32 > 0:36:35But look, look, look. Not like that. Like that.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Harry, I'm really nervous.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40OK, I'm going to do it.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- GUN BANGS - Oh, my God. Sorry.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47'Since the crisis hit, Harry's been forced to hire
0:36:47 > 0:36:49'a team of bodyguards and carry a gun for protection.'
0:36:49 > 0:36:54You never know if some crazy guy will try and stab you or nab you
0:36:54 > 0:36:58or do anything to you or your family, and I hope that never happens,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00but you must be ready to defend yourself.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03So do you have to carry a gun every time you leave the house?
0:37:03 > 0:37:05I have it under my seat, yes.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07GUNFIRE
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Harry, this is too heavy for me. I can't manage.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- I can't even hold it up. - No, I'm holding it.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16- Put your finger on the trigger. - Don't leave me.- No, I'm here.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Oh, my God.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22- SHE SQUEALS - Oh, my God.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Oh, Harry, I need a rest.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27SHE GROANS
0:37:27 > 0:37:31People will always ask super-rich people about tax evasion.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35The problem for Greece was that tax evasion was a national hobby.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40Everybody was doing it because the state didn't have the proper mechanism to check.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43But I know billions of euros were owed through tax every year.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46That's true - that was not only because of the rich people,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48that was because of the whole population.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Everybody was doing it -
0:37:50 > 0:37:52rich people, poor people, even, were not paying tax.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54It was a huge problem for the government.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57There were no earnings going in and only expenditure.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00The last six months we've seen the huge progress.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03New laws were passed, that were very, very strict
0:38:03 > 0:38:06and now you owe one euro, you either pay it, make a settlement
0:38:06 > 0:38:08or you go to jail. It's as simple as that.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11'Greece has one of the biggest national debts in the world,
0:38:11 > 0:38:16'so I'm not surprised to hear the government's finally trying to stamp out tax fraud.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21'Unfortunately, it might all be too late.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24'The country is still nearly bankrupt
0:38:24 > 0:38:27'and soon the politicians may have to vote for that second bailout
0:38:27 > 0:38:29'and be forced into further austerity.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:35'For many, conditions in the cities are already too much
0:38:35 > 0:38:39'and they've left for places like this -
0:38:39 > 0:38:41'The island of Chios.'
0:38:44 > 0:38:47I'm on my way to go and meet a couple called Alexandra and Nikos
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and they've recently just moved over here.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51They've started up a little business,
0:38:51 > 0:38:54and I'm just keen to hear how they're getting on.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Hello.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02- Welcome. Welcome to our island. - Alexandra?- Yes, I am Alexandra.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Nikos, pleasure to... Thanks for having me.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- So, Stacey. This is it.- Oh, wow.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10This is our new business.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13This isn't what I imagined when you said "farm".
0:39:13 > 0:39:16I imagined cows and pigs.
0:39:16 > 0:39:21- What is it?- They are snails, Stacey. Snails all over.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25- I'm in a snail farm. - A snail farm, indeed.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27'After losing their jobs two years ago,
0:39:27 > 0:39:32'these civil servants came to the island and took a massive gamble.'
0:39:32 > 0:39:34As you can see...
0:39:34 > 0:39:38Oh, my God. There's loads.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Some of them are ready, like that and that,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43but the others are still very, very young.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45How many have you got?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- Probably 800,000.- 800,000? - Snails, yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51We should call him Stacey.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54OK. It will be your tiny pet.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00Talk me through how you decide you're going to start up a snail farm.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- It was Alexandra's idea.- Really?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05We bought some books to read about this business
0:40:05 > 0:40:10and we feel that maybe it would be good business to start up.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14I guess so many young Greeks are looking for alternative ways to make money now.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Yes. This is our last chance.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20If we can't manage to make a profit of this job,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22then we don't know what to do next.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Really?- Yes.- So, have you put a lot into this business?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Yes, we've invested our savings, also our family savings.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- Wow.- So, yes, we invested a lot of money.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Yes, this is our last money for us and for our parents also.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41SHE LAUGHS And now we will make it happen.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43We are trying hard not to disappoint them.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45So tell me, what's it like working together
0:40:45 > 0:40:47with your boyfriend and vice versa?
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- Eh...- Difficult. - SHE LAUGHS
0:40:54 > 0:40:56'It's quite romantic, isn't it,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59'to think that you could start a business with your boyfriend'
0:40:59 > 0:41:01in the mountains, when in reality that's just not the case.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Stacey, this is the size we're looking for.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Alexandra, you know, she's had to make a lot of sacrifices.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10All her girls are in Athens, her parents are in Athens.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14She says, "You know, I would have liked to have made the decision,
0:41:14 > 0:41:15"but I've been forced to take this,
0:41:15 > 0:41:18"because it's the only option I was left with."
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- This one is huge. - Jackpot. We've hit the jackpot.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24'You know, if this doesn't work, it's not just them that'll go hungry,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27'everyone's life savings have gone into this.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29'It's their entire family, so that's a big responsibility
0:41:29 > 0:41:32'for a young couple to be taking on,'
0:41:32 > 0:41:35but it's the only option they had.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39So look, we've got 16 in here now. That's one portion, is it?
0:41:39 > 0:41:45- In France, on every plate, you will see from 12 to 16 snails. - That's a lot, isn't it, of snails?
0:41:46 > 0:41:50'The couple have taken a big risk, piling nearly 40,000 euros
0:41:50 > 0:41:55'into a new business right in the middle of the crisis.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57'Soon, they'll know if it's paid off
0:41:57 > 0:42:00'when they try to sell their first harvest to the French.'
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- In England, you don't eat the snails there.- No, not really.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08'But ultimately, it's events in Athens that could decide their fate.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10'I've got to rush straight back there
0:42:10 > 0:42:13'because tomorrow it's decision time for the politicians.'
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Here I am again. On my way to Syntagma Square
0:42:19 > 0:42:23and, you know, today really is a huge, huge deal.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25The parliament have to come to a conclusion today
0:42:25 > 0:42:27about the future of Greece.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30They are expecting up to half a million Greeks outside parliament.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Every single shop on the entire street is shut, you know,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36they're expecting big crowds, so I've got my gear,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39the riot police are all over the show...
0:42:39 > 0:42:41We'll see.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50Oh, my God. Have you seen how many people are down in this square?
0:42:52 > 0:42:55This is incredible.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57'Today is a pivotal moment.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01'The country is days away from going bust.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05'No matter what happens, the politicians must make a choice.'
0:43:05 > 0:43:07What's going on in there right now
0:43:07 > 0:43:09is either they vote for the memorandum
0:43:09 > 0:43:12and we're going to be, in a way, enslaved for 50, 60, 70 years -
0:43:12 > 0:43:16you never know how much - with higher taxes lower wages.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20The other option is we go bankrupt. Now, if you ask the Greeks here,
0:43:20 > 0:43:24I can guarantee to you they would prefer to go bankrupt.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28It's a shame that people out in the street are screaming
0:43:28 > 0:43:31for their future and people in there care about their pockets
0:43:31 > 0:43:34and the pockets of the banks. That's all they care about.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37We are the country that cradled civilisation and democracy
0:43:37 > 0:43:40and at this point, there is no future for any of us.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49That's why everyone's out here?
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Yeah, I understand.
0:43:51 > 0:43:56We stand in a moment of history where people have to choose.
0:43:56 > 0:44:01They have to choose between the chains and the resistance.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04We're going to resist and we're going to win.
0:44:04 > 0:44:06'And it's not just the protesters
0:44:06 > 0:44:09'taking the idea of revolution seriously.'
0:44:14 > 0:44:16Do you think tear gas will be used today?
0:44:21 > 0:44:25'Although everyone seems here for a peaceful protest,
0:44:25 > 0:44:27'the atmosphere is one of frustration and anger.'
0:44:27 > 0:44:31Just going out to get a feel of what's going on,
0:44:31 > 0:44:32but the local lads have said to me
0:44:32 > 0:44:35don't stand anywhere near the stairs because...
0:44:35 > 0:44:38- WHISTLE TRILLS - ..when people are running away from the teargas,
0:44:38 > 0:44:40you get stampeded if you're near the stairs
0:44:40 > 0:44:43or if you're in the middle of a crowd,
0:44:43 > 0:44:46so I'm just edging towards the edge ever so slightly.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49But it's kicking off massively down there.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52WHISTLE TRILLS
0:44:52 > 0:44:54DRUM BANGS
0:44:55 > 0:44:58They're shouting, "Thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves."
0:45:00 > 0:45:03THEY CHANT IN GREEK
0:45:13 > 0:45:15EXPLOSIVE BOOM
0:45:17 > 0:45:21'Suddenly, without warning, police fire tear gas into the crowds.'
0:45:23 > 0:45:24We have to go.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28- SHE SCREAMS - Oh, my God.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31'What began as a peaceful demonstration
0:45:31 > 0:45:33'quickly turns into a violent riot.'
0:45:33 > 0:45:35ANGRY CHANTING
0:45:35 > 0:45:39'I run into a hotel just before security shutters go down.'
0:45:52 > 0:45:55Oh, my God!
0:45:56 > 0:45:59It's just like madness out there. There's fire.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01When I came in here it was like a war zone.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Everyone had their gas masks on,
0:46:03 > 0:46:06people were rolling on the floor coughing.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11People are getting marble off the hotel floor to throw.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14SHOUTING AND BANGING
0:46:21 > 0:46:23This is chaos.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35AIR HORN WAILS
0:46:47 > 0:46:51'From a balcony, I can see running street battles
0:46:51 > 0:46:53'between hundreds of protesters and police.'
0:47:07 > 0:47:10You know, I've been to really scary places,
0:47:10 > 0:47:12places that are in civil war,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15and, honestly, I've never seen scenes like that.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25How on earth has a country in Europe got in this state?
0:47:25 > 0:47:28I do not understand how this kind of carry-on is going on.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32Police are getting in lines.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38Oh, my God!
0:47:40 > 0:47:44They must be desperate beyond desperation
0:47:44 > 0:47:47for that to be an answer.
0:47:50 > 0:47:55'Despite the huge protest outside,
0:47:55 > 0:47:59'in Parliament politicians still vote in favour of the bailouts
0:47:59 > 0:48:03'and a new wave of even harsher cuts.'
0:48:09 > 0:48:11'Early next day,
0:48:11 > 0:48:14'and already a massive clean-up operation is under way.'
0:48:18 > 0:48:20You know, the damage is so severe in some parts
0:48:20 > 0:48:23they've had to bring bulldozers into the centre of the town
0:48:23 > 0:48:25to just clear everything.
0:48:26 > 0:48:27Yeah, it's a right old state.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34And this bit's really badly affected, look.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37It's been smashed, the bank's been smashed.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41And here, just marble.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44Marble everywhere.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47These are what were thrown last night.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49It's crazy.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52I do my bit.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55- Boom!- Oi, you!
0:48:55 > 0:48:57Don't give me a fright!
0:48:59 > 0:49:01'So much tear gas was used
0:49:01 > 0:49:06'that commuters still struggle to breathe as they head to work.'
0:49:06 > 0:49:08There was fire all around here last night
0:49:08 > 0:49:11and I thought it was just fire, just, "Whoa, fire,"
0:49:11 > 0:49:15But actually it turns out that the fire
0:49:15 > 0:49:19can cancel the tear gas in the air,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23so that's why they set fires sometimes, to get rid of the gas.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29'The rioting caused millions of euros in damage,
0:49:29 > 0:49:31'with shops looted, buildings burnt out
0:49:31 > 0:49:34'and vandalism everywhere you look.'
0:49:38 > 0:49:41The morning after the huge night for Greece last night, you know,
0:49:41 > 0:49:44that was the parliament where the government was sat
0:49:44 > 0:49:47and they've decided that they are going to take this bailout,
0:49:47 > 0:49:50they are going cut more jobs,
0:49:50 > 0:49:52more people are going to become unemployed.
0:49:52 > 0:49:55If they're still employed, their wages will be cut.
0:49:55 > 0:49:56The taxes will be higher.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58You know, it's directly affecting the people
0:49:58 > 0:50:01that were in the square last night, and they are outraged, you know,
0:50:01 > 0:50:04they can't imagine things can get worse, but they're going to.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10After everything I've seen and heard,
0:50:10 > 0:50:12it's obvious where I need to go now.
0:50:15 > 0:50:20I'm going into parliament, I'm going to speak to a politician.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24I get to ask this woman face-to-face some really tricky questions
0:50:24 > 0:50:26and fair questions that need to be asked.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30I just don't know how she's going to justify the things
0:50:30 > 0:50:32that these people have been doing.
0:50:32 > 0:50:38Hello, how's things? I'm Stacey. Olga? Pleasure to meet you.
0:50:38 > 0:50:43'While the riot was going on, MP Olga Kefalogianni and her party
0:50:43 > 0:50:47'were in here voting in favour of the bailout and austerity measures.'
0:50:47 > 0:50:51A lot of people out there on Syntagma Square
0:50:51 > 0:50:53were protesting peacefully.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55They were there to make a real point,
0:50:55 > 0:50:58to try and show that they want change.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01Revolution. I heard that word so many times.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04I think it's really important for people to vote
0:51:04 > 0:51:06and to express themselves.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09I don't think that the best way to express your frustration is
0:51:09 > 0:51:13with what we saw happening in Athens.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16I think that's probably quite easy for you to say because
0:51:16 > 0:51:18I can imagine you're not in a position where
0:51:18 > 0:51:21you're wondering where your next meal is coming from.
0:51:21 > 0:51:26How on earth can you justify further cuts, higher taxes?
0:51:26 > 0:51:29These things are crippling your people.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31I know you have to make sacrifices
0:51:31 > 0:51:34and I know you're in a tricky position,
0:51:34 > 0:51:37but how can you sit there and think "That's what we'll do"?
0:51:37 > 0:51:41We didn't have any real good solution.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45We had a bad solution and we had a catastrophic one.
0:51:45 > 0:51:52Nobody wants poverty on this kind of extreme measures.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55Nobody wants their people to feel the way
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Greek people are feeling right now.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00But at least, as far as I'm concerned,
0:52:00 > 0:52:02and as far as my party's concerned,
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Greece needs to remain within the eurozone area
0:52:05 > 0:52:11and we have to stick to the measures we agreed with the European Union.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Can you see why that frustrates your people?
0:52:14 > 0:52:17Can you see why they feel it's you against them?
0:52:17 > 0:52:21And how are you going to make that not be the case in the future?
0:52:21 > 0:52:24How are you going to get them to trust you?
0:52:24 > 0:52:27I think this question of trust is very important.
0:52:27 > 0:52:32Right now, Greeks have lost their trust in their politicians.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36But I think the worst part is we're in such a recession
0:52:36 > 0:52:40and this recession is only getting deeper.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44All these sacrifices are really going to nowhere.
0:52:44 > 0:52:50I think if we can't have economic recovery, then no programme,
0:52:50 > 0:52:56no plan, no measures will ever be able to really lift us out.
0:52:58 > 0:52:59It's just...
0:52:59 > 0:53:04I don't feel any more hopeful for the country now I've just
0:53:04 > 0:53:07come out of the parliament of the country.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11It just kind of confirms everything I already thought.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15Just last week, elections were held.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19Huge numbers of Greeks voted against the austerity measures
0:53:19 > 0:53:22and the parties responsible for them.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25It's left Greece in a difficult position with Europe
0:53:25 > 0:53:28as politicians negotiate a new deal.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32It's what lots of Greeks want, but the country could still go bankrupt.
0:53:32 > 0:53:37There's no doubt young Greeks still face a dark future, however
0:53:37 > 0:53:41I am still hopeful for the country, but it's only because of them.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45If I'm honest, I completely underestimated what was going on out here.
0:53:45 > 0:53:50I had no idea that they were in such an awful position.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54When you're hearing that a whole generation has been hit
0:53:54 > 0:53:58the hardest when they're the least to blame, you can't help
0:53:58 > 0:54:01but feel like it's just so unfair for them.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04Despite that, you can't help but admire them.
0:54:04 > 0:54:08They're clever, they're bright, they're articulate.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10They've totally got it going on and I think
0:54:10 > 0:54:14if it's that generation that's up and coming, the country will change.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16I just don't know when.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21My trip here is over, but before I leave,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24there's one last thing I want to do.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26One of the people that has stuck in my mind is Spyridoula
0:54:26 > 0:54:30and I've had a real think about how I can get her some kind of help.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33I know that a lot of charities have been popping up especially
0:54:33 > 0:54:35over the past couple of months.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38So I've made a couple of calls, spoke to a lady called Christina.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42She's from a charity that could help Spyridoula specifically.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48How's things? I'm Stacey.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51'Christina's from a new charity called Give The Child...'
0:54:51 > 0:54:53It's up this way. Follow me.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57'..recently set up to help struggling parents.'
0:54:57 > 0:55:01Are you all right? I told you it was steep!
0:55:02 > 0:55:04How are you, Spyridoula?
0:55:06 > 0:55:09My friend Christina.
0:55:21 > 0:55:25'Christina's brought Spyridoula some baby clothes and toys
0:55:25 > 0:55:29'and she's pledged to keep helping the family until things get better.'
0:55:29 > 0:55:31I'm really pleased that Christina met Spyridoula.
0:55:31 > 0:55:35I think that's them with a little relationship on the go now.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38It is a nice thing to think that even the Greeks that are in
0:55:38 > 0:55:40a difficult position themselves are all rallying around
0:55:40 > 0:55:45and trying to help the other Greeks that are worse off than them.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49Next week I'm in Ireland...
0:55:51 > 0:55:54..a country still reeling from an economic collapse several years ago.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56Welcome to Ireland 2012.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59I find young people on the brink of homelessness.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03It's an absolute disgrace, so get your finger out and do something about it.
0:56:03 > 0:56:05It's your responsibility to look after your people.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07I watch families being ripped apart...
0:56:07 > 0:56:11It's not that I'm going because I want to go,
0:56:11 > 0:56:13it's I'm going because I have to go.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15..as an entire generation escapes...
0:56:15 > 0:56:17I hope the sacrifice was worth it.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20..leaving Ireland short of more than just cash.
0:56:20 > 0:56:24Why aren't we supporting the most brilliant young people?
0:56:24 > 0:56:26We just can't hold onto them.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd